What to Expect This Week
Work will continue on the duct bank installation in the alleyway between High Country Emporium and High Life Smoke Shop. Crews will begin at Howard Street and move up the alley into the parking lot behind the Shoppes at Farmers. During this time, the alleyway will be closed. We’ll also remove signage encouraging pedestrian use of that path from King Street. Instead, we recommend that visitors use Depot Street to access Howard Street.
Crews will also return to the area near the culverts to begin pouring the concrete headwall. A temporary pump-around system will be used to manage creek flow during this process. Please anticipate intermittent road and alley closures while this work is underway.
What Is a Duct Bank?
A duct bank is an underground structure that houses and protects utility lines, typically electrical or communication cables. These lines are placed in conduits (protective tubes) and encased in concrete, creating a safe, durable, and organized system that simplifies maintenance and prevents future damage. For Howard Street, this means overhead utility lines are being relocated underground to support long-term infrastructure improvements.
Last Week’s Progress
Duct bank installation between Depot Street and Burrell Street is now underway. This phase is significantly more complex than earlier utility work (water, sewer, and stormwater), and will progress at a slower pace. The good news: this marks the final major underground installation on this side of the project.
