Completion date for Phase 2B of the State Street Improvement Project has been moved back to Dec. 1.
Change orders have been approved by city officials to amend the completion date with Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc., said redevelopment Director Heather Pope.
“The project will be open by Aug. 6 and substantially completed by Sept. 30,” Pope said, “…and final completion will be Dec. 1.”
Pope explained that the change in completion dates is because the relocation of utilities took longer than anticipated.
This isn’t the first time Phase 2B has had a delay. In October 2019, Pope reported that the completion of Phase 2B would be pushed to 2020 due to utility relocation delays and the hurricanes that resulted in Duke Energy crews heading south to assist in relief efforts.
Phase 2B, about 1,572 feet, continues the same trail design along the north side of Third Street from Central Avenue to California Street, then runs north on California Street to Fifth Street.
The phase contains a new 10-foot-wide, multi-use trail along Third Street and pedestrian scale lighting, among other items. The intersections of Third and California streets and Fifth and California streets will have new ramps that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a 10-foot-wide pedestrian trail will be installed on the east side of California Street between Third and Fifth streets.
The road closures that were put into effect on June 1 to aid the work on Phase 2B are still in place. The right turn lane from Central Avenue to Third Street is restricted to allow for the traffic switch to occur. The right lane of Third Street is closed. The westbound right lane of Second Street is restricted to allow room for the traffic switch.
Phase 1, which was completed in 2017, consisted of a People Trail connection on Central Avenue to the Hawcreek bridge with two plazas on each side with benches, brick pavers and lighting. An 8-foot walking path was installed on the north side of the bridge, while a 6-foot sidewalk was placed on the south side.
Phase 2A involved the installation of two green spaces at Stadler Drive and at the Indiana Avenue and State Street, and adding new sidewalks, a multi-use trail and decorative panels featuring Paul Rand’s Dancing C’s design.
Pope said earlier the idea of the project is to draw people to the city’s east side.
“(The State Street revitalization project) draws you to the east side of our community and lets you know that Columbus doesn’t end at Central Avenue,” she said.
