Construction is nearly complete on the first section of the Grant Avenue Parkway between Ildereen and Catalpa streets.
Contractor Radmacher Brothers Excavating completed the construction of a roundabout at Grant and Chrisman Road, realignment of the roadway, repaving of Parkview High School parking lots and construction of a multi-use path and other pedestrian improvements in time for the section to reopen to traffic on the first day of school in August.
Installation of flashing beacon crosswalk signs at the new raised crosswalk at Parkview’s JFK Stadium are delayed due to equipment availability. Equipment was expected to be delivered and installed in late September.
“Unfortunately, the flashing beacon equipment did not arrive in time for the start of school and the reopening of the roadway,” explains City of Springfield Public Works Engineer Leree Reese, project manager. “To help heighten awareness of pedestrians in the area, we placed temporary message boards at the crosswalk until we could get the new beacons in place.”
Removal of the utility poles along the west side of the roadway and landscaping is expected toward the end of the project timeline.
Crews are constructing an 8-foot multi-use path along Portland Avenue to connect future Grant Avenue improvements to the new Jarrett Middle School.
Beginning in late September, construction crews began utility and roadway construction in sections two and three. Grant Avenue will close to one-way southbound traffic only between Sunshine and Ildereen streets. This section of roadway is expected to remain one way for approximately three months (weather and contractor scheduling dependent).
Northbound traffic is advised to follow the posted detour via Sunshine Street, Campbell Avenue and Ildereen Street.
“We originally didn’t expect to make the shift to one-way traffic in this section of the Parkway until later this year,” Reese explains. “But many pre-construction arrangements with utilities and easement acquisition have lined up to allow construction to move forward sooner. We’re hopeful to complete a major portion of this section by the end of the year.”
To learn more about construction plans and sign up to receive regular project updates, visit GrantAvenueParkway.com/construction.