Portions of Historic Route 66 through SGF are getting a facelift just in time for Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Aug. 10-11.
Construction wrapped up in mid-March on streetscape improvements on College Street between Grant Avenue and Market Avenue. The project included new federal Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks, stormwater and roadway improvements, tree wells, lighting enhancements and utility upgrades.
The project was funded primarily by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that came available last year.
“This streetscape project was a bit of a challenge due to the timeline requirements on the CDBG funding,” explains Public Works project manager Jonathan Peitz, P.E. “But the funding provided the opportunity to improve another section of our downtown streets to be much more attractive and accessible for all. The opportunity was well worth the time crunch.”
Farther west, the Grant Avenue and Route 66 Streetscape Project began March 5. This project – which focuses on improving Grant Avenue from Olive Street to Walnut Street – includes roadway and stormwater improvements, new ADA-compliant sidewalks, utility upgrades and signal improvements at the intersections of College Street and Grant Avenue and Walnut Street and Grant Avenue. The project is funded through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program Grant and the 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax.
The City reminds motorists and pedestrians to use caution and obey any posted signage while traveling through work zones. Various lane shifts and overnight road closures can be expected throughout construction.