College Avenue Improvements Begin

Mayor Dan Coody announced that work on College Avenue will begin Tuesday May 28, 2008 at 6:00 AM.  The street improvement project includes the stretch from Rock Street to Maple Street.   

Mayor Dan Coody said he was pleased to finally see the project underway.  "This project has always been a top priority for me.  I made a commitment to the citizens of Fayetteville that I would begin the rebuilding of College Avenue and help to revive the great community street it once was."

The project consists of removing and replacing all of the curbs and sidewalks adjacent to the College Avenue and adding street trees, lighting, traffic light upgrades/replacement, access improvements, and a complete overlay.  The total number of lanes will not change and the road will be widened in many areas to provide a wider driving surface. The radius of some intersections will also increase allowing for easier turns. 

Coody expects the city to complete the project in approximately six months.  "Sixty years ago College Avenue was torn up and it was one of the biggest mistakes ever made in this town. Correcting that mistake is a major undertaking but a necessary one."

Coody added that he knew the construction would cause some frustration to drivers but also noted that the minor inconveniences of road construction will be worth it.  "When it’s all said and done, the citizens will have a beautiful street that will encourage redevelopment in the heart of downtown.  This little stretch of road will become the standard by which all of College Avenue will be judged."

For the week staring May 27 planned work includes milling the asphalt surface in the outer lanes of College Avenue.  Milling though the intersecting streets will require blocking the intersections for short periods. 

The work area during this first week will be a "moving work area" throughout the day, which will block different small sections of the outer lanes on College Avenue while the work takes place. 

Crews will work daily beginning at 6:00 am and continuing to approximately 4:00 pm each day.  The initial milling work is expected take a maximum of four days.

 The City will issue regular updates to the public outlining the work plan and lane closures for the upcoming weeks.

 Coody is planning a formal ceremony in June to celebrate the significance of this important street project. 

The College Avenue project is part of the Street Bond Program passed by the voters in the 2006 sales tax bond election. Work will be performed by the City Transportation Department under the direction of the Engineering Division.   The project was designed by McClelland Consulting Engineers.   

Questions regarding this project may be directed to the City Transportation Department at 575-8228 or the Engineering Division at 575-8206.