Project Update for N. Central Street and W. Jackson Avenue

January 20, 2017 W. Jackson Avenue Update -  

NEWS RELEASE

KUB Completes W. Jackson Avenue Streetscapes Utilities Upgrades

Ahead of Schedule

KUB Underground Construction crews have successfully completed all utility infrastructure upgrades on W. Jackson Avenue nearly three months ahead of schedule. Utility upgrades, the first step in the City’s overall streetscapes improvements planned for this area, began in November 2016, and were expected to last through April 2017. Through efficient planning, resource commitment, and effective work management, KUB Underground Construction crews and staff reduced the length of the project substantially while completing upgrades on infrastructure that will serve this section of the Old City for many years to come.

W. Jackson Avenue has been fully reopened to normal traffic flow as of Friday, January 20.

As part of this project, the utility infrastructure upgrades below were completed:

Water main installed: 950 feet

Water service lines connected: 9

Natural gas main installed: 1,000 feet

Natural gas service lines connected: 5

Wastewater main installed: 502 feet

Fire hydrants replaced/installed: 5

Wastewater manholes installed: 3

Wastewater service lines connected: 3

To the extent possible, KUB worked closely with businesses and residents in this area to coordinate work and minimize the impact of service interruptions while also maintaining access to buildings and parking areas. KUB appreciates its customers and their patrons, and the City of Knoxville, for their ongoing patience and support as the utility portion of this project was completed.

City streetscape improvements are expected to follow on W. Jackson Avenue in the spring of 2017.

KUB is a municipal utility serving Knox and parts of seven adjacent counties and provides electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to more than 452,000 customers.

###.

January 20, 2017 N. Central Street/Fifth Avenue Update – This past week, KUB’s contractor Adams and Sons, Inc., completed water line tie-ins on all connecting side streets along Fifth Avenue, from Gay Street to Lamar Street. Weather permitting, paving crews are scheduled to complete remaining roadway surface restoration, remove traffic control devices, and reopen all lanes of East and West Fifth Avenue, and the section of N. Central Street between Magnolia Avenue and Fifth Avenue, to traffic by Monday, January 23, 2017.

Starting on Monday, January 23, Adams and Sons, Inc., will begin the next stage of water main installation on the area of N. Central Street extending from the Fifth Avenue intersection to the N. Broadway intersection. Both northbound lanes and the northbound bicycle lane will be closed on this section of N. Central Street. Traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, however, with one northbound and one southbound lane shifting to the southbound side of N. Central Street. Southbound bicycle traffic will merge with vehicle traffic through the work zone. Vehicle traffic is advised to remain aware of the ongoing presence of workers, equipment, traffic channeling devices, barricades, and signs in this area. Note that the intersections of Fifth Avenue, Fourth Avenue, and Third Avenue will remain open until work is required in those areas. Work in this section is expected to last through early March. Follow up notices will be issued ahead of any work requiring intersection closures in this work zone.

(N. Central Streetscapes Project) N. Central Street  Lane Closure [January 23 – early March] – KUB and its contractor will close both northbound lanes and the bicycle lane on N. Central Street between the Fifth Avenue intersection and the N. Broadway intersection at 6 a.m., Monday, January 23, through early March.  Both northbound lanes and the northbound bicycle lane will be closed on this section of N. Central Street. Traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, however, with one northbound and one southbound lane shifting to the southbound side of N. Central Street. Southbound bicycle traffic will merge with vehicle traffic through the work zone. Vehicle traffic is advised to remain aware of the ongoing presence of workers, equipment, traffic channeling devices, barricades, and signs in this area. Note that the intersections of Fifth Avenue, Fourth Avenue, and Third Avenue will remain open until work is required in those areas. Follow up notices will be issued ahead of any work requiring intersection closures in this work zone.