THIS WEEK
Brick paver installation will continue this week. Once the bricks are laid, polymeric sand must be applied and given time to cure, so some areas may take a little longer to reopen than you might expect.
Work on the streetlight poles and wiring is also expected to continue.
Howard Street from Appalachian Street to Depot Street should remain accessible. However, some traffic and access disruptions are likely between Depot and Burrell streets as crews install pavers in the crosswalk areas, likely beginning around mid-week. Because the polymeric sand cannot be driven over while it cures, access may shift as that work moves forward.
Overall, we are starting to see the light at the end of what has been a long hardscape tunnel. There are still pieces to finish, but more and more of the completed streetscape is coming together.
LOOKING AHEAD: FINAL ASPHALT PUSH
We are getting very close to the final push of asphalt work. Crews are currently targeting the week of September 21 for milling and paving portions of Appalachian Street, South Depot Street and Howard Street.
This work will require temporary road closures and will have a significant impact on traffic and access throughout the project area. The current plan is to tackle the work in sections so streets can reopen as quickly as possible. The good news is that asphalt does not require the same curing time we have experienced with concrete and brick pavers. Once a section is paved and has had time to cool, it should be able to reopen later that same day.
Following paving, Appalachian and South Depot streets will be restriped by Town staff, while striping on Howard Street will follow through the contractor. A portion of Burrell Street will also need to be milled and repaved, but that work will likely happen separately.
There are a lot of moving parts involved in this final paving push, and the schedule may shift based on weather and construction progress. We will continue to share more specific traffic and access information as the schedule is confirmed.
We know this will be a disruptive stretch, but it also represents another major step toward wrapping up the Howard Street project.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns 828-268-6283.
