WHAT'S THE LATEST ON OLD FORT'S STREETSCAPE?
Here's the schedule for construction, detour routes
The work on the streetscape project has reduced the width of Catawba Avenue in Old Fort and blocks access to many of the businesses along the busy street. Town officials stated earlier this month the streetscape is moving into its final major phase with road reconstruction and paving.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has approved the temporary road closure and detour routes that will be needed to complete the streetscape work in Old Fort.
Catawba Avenue is undergoing streetscape improvements is expected to be open again in mid-October.
On Monday, the Old Fort Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting for September and answered questions from business owners and residents about the ongoing Catawba Avenue streetscape project.
Earlier this month, the town of Old Fort issued an update on the Catawba Avenue streetscape.
The goal of the streetscape plan is to upgrade Old Fort's downtown corridor with crosswalks, bump-outs, pedestrian signals, ADA improvements and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that will better protect downtown patrons from vehicular traffic. The downtown will also have new and more attractive streetlights.
The work on the project has reduced the width of Catawba Avenue and blocks access to many of the businesses along the street.
Town officials said earlier this month the streetscape is moving into its final major phase with road reconstruction and paving. Representatives from the consulting firm Destination by Design and Tennoca Construction attended the Monday meeting and reviewed the detour plan, answered questions from the public and talked about the final completion schedule.
"Pedestrian access to all downtown storefronts, restaurants and businesses will remain open throughout construction," reads the town's statement. "Plans are also in place to accommodate commercial deliveries and other necessary business access. Because the roadway has been in place for decades, the exact timeline will depend in part on the conditions found beneath the existing pavement once excavation begins. The project team will have geotechnical testing on site so decisions can be made quickly as work progresses."
During the week of Monday, Sept. 21, road demolition and subsurface exploration is scheduled to take place along Catawba Avenue. That will be followed by excavation and base correction. During the week of Oct. 5, new paving and striping is planned. The corridor should open again by the middle of October, according to town officials.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has approved the temporary road closure and detour routes that will be needed to complete the work.Commerce Street will be closed to through traffic during the road work. Detour routes will be in place, including separate routes for heavy truck traffic.
The businesses on Catawba Avenue and other Old Fort streets will remain accessible. Pedestrian access to all downtown storefronts, restaurants and businesses will remain open throughout construction. Plans are also in place to accommodate commercial deliveries and other necessary business access.
Because the road has been in place for decades, the exact timeline will depend in part on the conditions found beneath the existing pavement once excavation begins. The project team will have testing on site so decisions can be made quickly as work progresses, according to town officials.
The town has released a detour plan for the public, which show Catawba Avenue will be closed between South Railroad Street and Water Street. The detour advises drivers to take Water Street to Spring Street to reach U.S. Highway 70/Main Street.
Catawba Avenue is also closed to truck traffic from the interstate, with a detail at exit 75.
"We know this project has created challenges for our downtown businesses, residents and visitors, and we appreciate everyone's continued patience as work moves toward completion," reads a statement from the town.
