It has been a long time in the making, but the renovation of three street blocks off of S. Main St. will begin Tuesday.
Two blocks of Fourth Ave. are going to be torn up and replaced, as well as one block of Third Ave. The impetus was a new surface as they are likely the roughest blocks of all the city’s paved roadways.
However, engineering determined the curb and gutter also should be replaced to improve drainage, which is part of the reason the blocks are in such rough shape. The engineering firm SEH also recommended aging infrastructure below the street be replaced while it was torn up.
Concrete Specialties and Utilities Construction is doing the work for $2.7 million. The city has received a DOLA grant for $850,000 for the project, and possibly will receive federal funds to help reduce the city’s share.
Water and Wastewater Supervisor Eric Metcalfe said the two blocks of Fourth Ave. will be done first, starting at Albany St. and moving west to Ash. The stormwater line will be replaced under those two blocks, including across S. Main St.
One block of Third Ave. from S. Main to Ash St. then will be done. The water main will be replaced on that block while it is torn up.
There will be street closures throughout the project, which is expected to last for several months. That includes S. Main being closed at the Fourth Ave. intersection while the stormwater is replaced.
Metcalfe said the City Hall parking lot will be open to public parking throughout the project.