Downtown Reconstruction Project Begins Final Road Work

City contractors will begin milling and paving in the Downtown Reconstruction area between Jan. 9 and Jan. 21, 2015, weather permitting, and putting the finishing touches on a much-needed project that has been under construction since August 2012.

Three locations will be milled on Jan. 9: the Hopkins/LBJ intersection, Edward Gary north of Hutchison, and on LBJ between University and Concho Streets. Milling is the process for removing old asphalt in preparation for laying new pavement and finishing the road work.

Portions of the street will be reduced to one lane as the milling equipment moves through the construction area. Flaggers will direct motorists through the construction zones.

Once the milling is complete, the final asphalt and temporary striping will be installed. Installation of the asphalt requires that the temperature remain 40 degrees or above during the process.

The anticipated schedule is:

·         Jan. 12 –15: Installation of final asphalt and temporary striping on LBJ from the northern project limits to Hopkins and the LBJ/Edward Gary alleys between University and Hopkins.  Work will be completed one block at a time.

·         Jan 16 – 21: Installation of final asphalt and temporary striping on Hutchison between LBJ and CM Allen and the Edward Gary/Moon alley between University and Hutchison. Work will be completed one block at a time.

Placement of brick pavers in the intersection crosswalks will begin shortly after paving operations are complete and will require lane closures for 1-2 days during installation. The remaining work includes permanent striping, landscaping, completing the sidewalk on University from Edward Gary to CM Allen, and sidewalk repairs where utility poles are removed.  All work is anticipated to be complete by mid-February.