FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Progress continues on the Grant Avenue Parkway as construction extends north. Grant will close to one-way southbound traffic only between State and Walnut streets beginning Monday, Oct. 30 for utility work.
Grant Avenue Parkway improvements have steadily progressed since construction began in May of 2022 with the rapid construction of a new roundabout and parking lot modifications at Parkview High School. Planned transportation and infrastructure elements in sections one and two of the Parkway, between University and Catalpa streets, are now largely complete including a new 10-foot wide multi-use path, new sidewalk and pedestrian-friendly intersection and crosswalk upgrades. A new sidewalk was completed connecting the Parkway to the new Jarrett Middle School along Portland Avenue. Updates to gas, water, wastewater and sewer utilities are also complete in these sections, with electrical and communication lines being installed underground to create more open, parklike space. Final landscaping and roadway pavement surfacing are anticipated when a greater portion of the Parkway route is complete.
Grant Avenue is expected to remain one-way in section five of the Parkway route (between State and Walnut streets) through fall of 2024. Northbound traffic is advised to follow the posted detour generally using Campbell Avenue. This closure will extend the current one-way southbound only condition along Grant Avenue from Meadowmere Street to Walnut Street.
Improvements coming at Grant and Sunshine
The City has completed acquisition of necessary right-of-way easements between Sunshine and University streets allowing contractor crews to begin improvements in the remaining southern segment of the Parkway route. Work here will require temporary closure of northbound traffic on Grant from Sunshine to University, beginning in late November. Construction will require various lane closures and traffic impacts at the intersection for approximately three months.
Additional Project Updates:
Progress in Sections 3 & 4 (Meadowmere to State)
Grant Avenue is currently one-way southbound only using the east side of the roadway from Meadowmere Street to State Street. Construction crews have completed utility work and driveway connections along the east side of the roadway and recently shifted to installing utilities along the west side of Grant Avenue.
Acquisition of necessary right-of-way easements is ongoing in these sections. As acquisitions are finalized, crews will begin construction outside of the existing public right-of-way. Construction of a multi-use path, new sidewalk, curb and gutter and the undergrounding of electrical utilities in these sections are still to come.
Major construction in sections three and four of the Grant Avenue Parkway is expected to continue through summer of 2024.
Section 2 (Sunshine to Ildereen)
Grant Avenue has reopened to two-way traffic between Ildereen and Sunshine streets using a temporary pavement surface. With heavy construction equipment still expected to use this route, the final asphalt pavement in this section is not planned for application until construction is complete between Sunshine and University.
For more information about the Grant Avenue Parkway and to subscribe to receive regular project updates, visit grantavenueparkway.com.
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For media inquiries, contact Communication Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or [email protected].