South Limestone reconstruction will add sidewalks set back, medians and U-turns; work may extend into next year

Service Director Chris Moore said the South Limestone corridor reconstruction is a complex, multi-year project that began planning in 2015 and is funded in large part by state and federal dollars.

Moore said crews are currently working on the east side from Level Lane north toward Singer, moving sidewalks back to create green space and increasing the distance between pedestrians and travel lanes. He described concrete medians on the southern end that will remove left-turn movements at many businesses and a dedicated U-turn area at Left Lane where drivers can reverse direction in a controlled way.

"There will be a concrete median to take away that left turn movement at all of those businesses," Moore said, and added that the state plays a role in funding requirements and safety improvements because the route is a state-designated corridor.

Crews will also install pedestrian refuge islands at some cross streets to give people a safe mid-crossing stopping point on the five-lane roadway, Moore said. He said updated street lights and added green space will both improve aesthetics and provide traffic-calming benefits.

Moore cautioned residents to expect slowdowns and lane reductions while work continues. He estimated the project could extend into the next year, saying crews need to finish curbs, catch basins and concrete on the side they are working on before switching sides. "We could be into this time next year about another 12 months," he said.

Moore said the city would like to finish sooner but described that sentiment as optimistic because of weather and other construction surprises. He emphasized the project's safety goals and said the changes are meant to reduce conflict and make crossings safer on a busy arterial.