ACCGov’s Construction Management Firm for the project, Astra Group, has mobilized to the site and has a temporary office on Clayton Street.     Work on the Clayton Street Improvements Project continues with the installation of new electrical conduit duct banks in the corridor.  These conduits will be used for wiring for street lighting, fiber optic cabling, downtown cameras, traffic and pedestrian signals, and other data & electrical needs.  Spare conduits are also being installed for future needs as they may arise.  

Progression of the duct banks along the southside of Clayton Street has been slightly slower than anticipated due to required rock removal and addressing abandoned utilities when encountered.  The duct bank installation will continue along Clayton Street from Lumpkin down to Thomas Street.  Astra, will continue to keep the work area foot print to a minimum, thus reducing interruption to normal business activities as much a possible. 

In an effort to provide a touch of Holiday Season opportunities, only selected trees were removed as needed to facilitate the immediate construction needs, thereby allowing the yearly Christmas lights to be part of this Holiday season where possible. 

Completing the tree removal and installation of electrical conduit along the entire project length will run concurrent with the streetscape portion schedule to begin after the Holiday season. 

Work during the holiday season, November and December, by Astra is currently planned for areas in the street or adjacent parking areas to maintain sidewalk access and reduce impact to downtown establishments. 

The streetscape portion of the work is scheduled to begin in January 2021 and will take place on smaller sections of the corridor at a time. More details and timeframes will be available at a later time related to the streetscape segments.

The improvements will include better stormwater management and standing water removal, wider sidewalks with fewer pedestrian conflicts, new streetlights, new traffic signals on fewer poles, public art, wider travel lanes for vehicles, changes to metered spaces’ angles to improve safety when reversing out, larger areas for pedestrians to wait for crossing streets, and more trees and landscaping areas. 

The Mayor and Commission approved the streetscape design and the public art component in 2019. The full project is expected to be completed in early 2022.

The temporary closure of College Avenue, between Clayton Street and W. Broad Street, creating an outdoor dining and gathering area has been completed.  The closure is scheduled for a six month pilot program at which time it will be re-evaluated by M&C to determine if it will continue.

Several new loading zones were recently established in the downtown area with Traffic Engineering department continuing to coordinate future striping and signage.