The City of Jackson has released an update on the various street construction projects. They include several streets, the Martin Luther King Equality Trail extension and parking lot improvements.
Francis Street between Washington and Glick
Last weekend (10/22), new pavement markings were applied and the street was opened to traffic. The only items remaining are the establishment of grass and the planting of trees in the planter areas. Trees will be planted shortly and will not require a street closure. Grass will be planted in the spring.
Jackson Street between Washington and Glick
Last weekend (10/22), new pavement markings were applied and the street was opened to traffic. The only items remaining are the establishment of grass and the planting of trees in the planter areas. Trees will be planted shortly and will not require a street closure. Grass will be planted in the spring.
Jackson Street between Wesley and Glick
Earlier this week, this block was closed to through traffic to create a work zone for the installation of new bumped-out curbs and the replacement of sidewalk ramps and the street’s concrete approach on the south side of Washington Avenue. On Friday, 10/28/16, the existing curbs, ramps and approach will be removed. Over the weekend, the concrete crew will install the new curb. The new approach and ramps will follow immediately thereafter. All work is scheduled to be completed by the end of next week and the block opened to traffic.
Martin Luther King Equality Trail between Merriman Street and Washington Avenue
The placement of concrete for the new trail has continued over the past week. Currently, a retaining wall to hold back the adjacent hill on the southeast corner of Franklin and South Cooper Street is being formed.
The project will terminate at the southwest corner of Washington and Cooper and the path is scheduled to be completed in mid-November 2016, with grass restoration completion in the spring of 2017.
Mechanic Street between Morrell Street and Washington Avenue
To date, all water main and sewer replacement has been completed over the length of the entire project and concrete items have been completed between Franklin Street and Wilkins Street. The gravel base has also been placed between Franklin and Wilkins. Over the past week, the contractor has worked to prepare the blocks between Morrell and Wilkins and between Franklin and Washington for new curbs, ramps, driveways and sidewalks.
On Friday, 10/28/16, the concrete crew will place the new curb. Once the new curb is in place, work will proceed on two concurrent tasks: 1) the placement of new sidewalks, driveways and ramps by the concrete crew and 2) the placement, grading and compaction of the new gravel base between Morrell and Wilkins and between Franklin and Washington. Once the gravel is in place, the paving of the street with three layers of asphalt will begin.
Although all work items will not be completed, Mechanic Street and all side streets will be open and free of construction activities on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8, 2016). All barricades on Mechanic Street and cross-streets will be removed and the polling station and parking lot located at Saint John’s United Church of Christ at 801 S. Mechanic Street will be accessible by vehicle and non-motorized means on Election Day.
Mechanic Street between Washington Avenue and Pearl Street
Over the past week, those sections of curb, sidewalk and ramps scheduled for replacement have been removed. Currently, the contractor is working to install new storm water catch basins at those locations where new curbed bump-outs are proposed. Starting Friday, 10/28/16, and continuing through next week, the concrete crew will work to install the replacement concrete features. Once all concrete items are complete, the pavement surface will be removed with a mill and repaved with a single layer of new asphalt.
Michigan Avenue between Blackstone Street and Francis Street
Curb and sidewalk modification work for the installation of barrier-free ramps and parking spaces between Jackson and Mechanic will commence next week. The new barrier-free parking spaces will be located on the south side of Michigan Avenue in front of the City’s Victory Lane alley and in front of the Post Office.
Parking Lot 6 Repaving (located between Washington and Cortland on west side of the Bus Station)
The start of the project to repave the City’s Parking Lot 6 has been postponed until the spring of 2017. As mid-November and the cold, wet weather it typically brings is fast approaching, it was determined that efforts must be concentrated on finishing those projects that are already underway rather than starting a new project this late in the year.
Parking Lot 8 Maintenance & Improvements
Last weekend, the City’s Parking Lot 8 located between Michigan Avenue and Cortland Street on the west side of the Post Office Building was sealcoated and re-striped. The lot was re-opened immediately thereafter for public use.