Project Moves East Toward the RR Tracks - UPDATED STREET CLOSINGS

While crews have been working on sidewalks east of the currently closed section (Northwestern to Barton Streets) they will continue to move East completing sidewalk and curb and gutter replacement in the area from Barton to the Railroad Tracks over the next couple of weeks.

Traffic on West 5th Street continues to be a safety concern for the construction crews and citizens are encouraged and reminded to reduce speed in the project work zone area.  To help ensure a safe work environment the City will be closing additional portions of West 5th Street to through traffic while construction is taking place.  Here is a more detailed plan and timeline (weather depending):

Beginning on Friday, June 20th - West 5th Street from Barton to Vestal will be closed to through traffic.  We anticipate that this closure will last until June 27th.  The road will be closed during working hours only and re-opened for traffic overnight.  Residents will be able to access driveways along West 5th Street by entering West 5th Street from the intersection of Early Street during the closure period.  The road will be closed generally from 6:30AM to 8PM while work is being conducted.

Following the completion of work between Barton and Vestal Streets (estimated to be on or around June 27th) work will shift east and crews will close West 5th Street from the intersection of Grand Ave (western portion) to College Street.  Again this area will be closed during working hours only.  Access to driveways within this area will be limited during the working hours.  Access should be available after working hours for this section as well.

Here is a map showing the closure areas:

This section of the project has a lot more curb and gutter replacement which will require that crews and equipment will be into the street area more frequently and also to ensure the safety of work crews.

The City and the contractor appreciate the cooperation of the community and residents in this area during this time.

The commitment remains to have the entire stretch of West 5th Street open for the 4th of July weekend.

Following the 4th of July weekend the City will then close down a portion of West 5th Street east of the railroad tracks to facilitate the reconstruction of sidewalks and approaches in that area.  More information on this section will be forthcoming prior to the 4th of July so check back with our blog for those updates.

Progress Continues in Stage B

Work in Stage B moves forward and the section of road from Northwestern to Barton should be re-opened soon potentially by the weekend (June 21st).

Crews were working in that area to replace storm water piping and manholes that were in the driving portion of the road.  The majority of that work is now complete.

New manhole being installed

Shown above is a new manhole that was installed and crews installing the new piping into the manhole.  The manholes and piping that were removed were in fairly good shape for their age but the new stuff will ensure adequate performance moving forward.  The older manhole in this section was made of brick and is shown below.

Old manhole made from bricks

While the work on the storm water stuff was going on the crews were also working on sidewalks in the area to ensure that they meet ADA standards now in place.  Below are a few pictures of the work being done on sidewalks in this area.

Pouring an intersection of sidewalk

The two major parts of the new ADA requirements deal with the slope of the sidewalk and the notification domes at the intersections to the road.  Below one of the staff from Smith Concrete works on placement of the dome sections along West 5th Street.

Installing the dome panels

That's it for this post but check back soon as we will be adding some updated information on traffic closures as the project moves east down West 5th Street.

Work Continues in Stage B

Sub-contractors continue to work on the removals of sidewalks and curb and gutter in Stage B of the project.  Here are a couple of pictures from the work this week and last week on the sidewalk work going on:

Crews are lining up the alignment for the new approach

Forms are in place ready for new concrete to be poured

New removals have been done along West 5th Street

Crews are also working on the removal and replacement of storm water piping along the project route.  This work is the main reason for the road closure as crews have complete sections of the road removed as they install piping across the street.  In the upcoming days they will pour pack the removed portion of the street.

New storm water piping is being installed

Once the piping is in place and the pavement replaced on top this section of road will be reopened to traffic until it is time for the asphalt milling and resurfacing phase of the project to begin.