Reconstruction of Broadway is moving forward to a busier block from Clark Street to William Street today.

Contractors will begin grinding up the existing blacktop on the portion of the road and hauling it away, according to a city news release. It will be reopened for the weekend, before closing for more extensive work on Monday.

At that time, the block will be closed to remove the remainder of the street surface and to construct the water main and storm sewer, the release stated. The sidewalks next to the buildings in this block will be left in place for several weeks to allow pedestrian traffic and access to businesses.

The more than $4 million project began in early May and is expected to continue through October.

It includes the replacement of the street, sidewalk and underground utilities on Broadway from Fountain Street to Main Street. Decorative lighting, crosswalks, kiosks, trees and tree grates will be added, along with basic pedestrian plazas at William and Water streets.

Fountain Lake Park at the north end of Broadway will also undergo a reconstruction with the addition of a grand staircase leading from Fountain Street to a sidewalk promenade in the park, a handicapped accessible sidewalk and a new boat dock on the lake.

The project came out of an initial need to replace aging infrastructure.

The release stated access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction except during short periods of time when contractors are digging near the entrances and new sidewalk is being poured.

Parking will become more and more limited as the project moves south, but parking will be available on side streets and in public parking lots on the east and west side of Broadway.

Construction on Broadway from William Street to Main Street is not expected to occur for several weeks.

 

Broadway reconstruction timeline

• Week of June 24: Fountain Street will reopen to traffic.

• July 3: Broadway from Fountain Street to Water Street is expected to reopen to traffic and parking.

• July 3: Sidewalks along Fountain Street and along the north part of Broadway are expected to open to pedestrians.

• First week in August: Broadway from Water Street to Clark Street is expected to reopen.