Jefferson Street reconstruction to be complete by Thanksgiving

The current section of Jefferson Street reconstruction is on schedule, as construction crews aim to get this year’s work complete by Thanksgiving.

The Jefferson Street and Home Avenue intersection is nearing completion. The intersection opened Friday, but without its traffic lights, which have been replaced with stop signs on Home Avenue. Traffic on Jefferson Street no longer stops at the intersection.

However, work will continue on Jefferson Street between East Court Street and Home Avenue until Sept. 15, which is on track with the city’s schedule, Franklin city engineer Mark Richards said.

Workers are putting down the first layers of pavement after installing new curbs, Richards said.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

The third phase of the $12.1 million project to rebuild Jefferson Street and King Street from U.S. 31 to Eastview Drive includes rebuilding the road, replacing sidewalks and removing the stoplight at Home Avenue. Instead, traffic on Home Avenue will have a stop sign, and traffic on Jefferson Street will be allowed to drive through without stopping.

Once Jefferson Street is open again for driving, on-street parking will remain off-limits the remainder of the month while crews work to install new sidewalks, Richards said.

The fourth phase, which will begin immediately after work on the third phase is complete, will go from Home Avenue to the railroad crossing east of Crowell Street, Richards said.

Work on that section is planned to be complete by Thanksgiving.

“It’s important to get things done on schedule so we can keep things on budget as well so we can get the work planned for this year done,” Richards said.

Work on the third phase has gone by without any major challenges, but water service to several downtown buildings had to be shut off after a few instances where water mains were hit and damaged, Richards said.

Even after the Home Avenue intersection opens, the stretch of Jefferson Street between Home Avenue and Crowell Street will remain closed for equipment and material staging as workers prepare for the final phases of reconstruction this year, Richard said.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Next up

In mid-September, workers will begin the fourth section of reconstruction of Jefferson Street.

Where: Jefferson Street will be closed from Home Avenue to the railroad crossing.

When: Immediately after the third section is complete this month with work finishing by Thanksgiving.

[sc:pullout-text-end]