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Old Fort's streetscape project moving forward
Catawba Avenue expected to reopen first full week of October
MIKE CONLEY
Progress made so far with the streetscape project on Catawba
avenue.
PHOTO BY CASE NEAL, DESTINATION BY DESIGN
Catawba avenue in Old Fort at the beginning of the work earlier
this month.
PHOTO BY RANDAL CALDWELL
Old Fort's Catawba Avenue is expected to be repaved and reopened by the first week of October.
The town said Tuesday that the streetscape project is on schedule but some repairs are needed before the road can be repaved.
"Roadway demolition has been completed, with the existing asphalt and concrete underlayment removed," the town said in a statement Tuesday. "Subsurface exploration has revealed inadequate soils for the required compaction before repaving. The geotechnical engineer has advised that the contractor will need to remove approximately 12 inches of the existing soil and replace it with stone before paving can begin."
A small sinkhole was discovered as a result of a previous repair to the storm drain during the installation of the sewer lines. The area will also be excavated and repaired before paving.
The project remains on schedule barring any weather delays, the town said. Excavation was expected and included in the initial schedule, according to the town of Old Fort's update.
Paving crews are tentatively scheduled to be on site from Wednesday, Sept. 30, to Friday, Oct. 2. The current target schedule calls for completion of paving and striping and reopening of the road during the week of Oct. 5, the town said.
The goal of the streetscape plan is to upgrade Old Fort's downtown corridor with crosswalks, bumpouts, pedestrian signals, ADA improvements and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that will better protect downtown patrons from traffic. The downtown will also have new streetlights.
Town says businesses remain accessible
Commerce Street remains closed to through traffic, but sidewalk access to all storefronts, restaurants and businesses remains open throughout construction. Specific access routes are also planned for commercial deliveries, according to the town of Old Fort.
"Please continue to follow the designated detour routes," reads the announcement from the town. "Heavy through-truck traffic is being detoured via regional NCDOT routes at Exit 75 to help keep heavy trucks off residential side streets."
"We appreciate everyone's continued patience as work on the Catawba Avenue streetscape project moves forward," reads the statement from Old Fort officials.
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