Jefferson Streetscape

Construction along Jefferson Avenue downtown will continue this spring and summer between St. Louis and Walnut streets as streetscape improvement work is expected to ramp up March 13.

The Jefferson Avenue Streetscape project will extend the downtown streetscape look to this segment of Jefferson, with upgraded ramps and sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with roadway improvements, stormwater infrastructure and lighting. A new traffic signal with pedestrian facilities will be installed at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and St. Louis Street, while signal modifications and upgrades will be constructed at the McDaniel and Walnut intersections. The project will also include upgrades to electrical facilities in Jubilee Park to aid in future downtown event needs.  

“The construction underway in the project area now is a contractor for City Utilities working to renew water and relocate gas utility lines ahead of the streetscape project,” explains Public Works project manager Angela Nelson. “Their contractor will continue to work between McDaniel and Walnut streets, hopefully finishing up within the next month while the City’s contractor, KCI, begins construction on the streetscaping between St. Louis and McDaniel.”  

The two contractors plan to coordinate their work in an effort to streamline traffic control. Motorists can expect a single lane of traffic to be maintained along Jefferson for most of the project’s 90-day duration.

Construction and traffic flow will be facilitated in two phases: 

Phase 1 – Beginning March 6:

Expect construction along the east side of Jefferson Avenue. A single lane of southbound traffic will remain open. Left turns off Jefferson will not be permitted between St. Louis and Walnut streets. All east- and westbound traffic crossing Jefferson will not be permitted through these intersections. Signals at the McDaniel and Walnut intersections will be deactivated and temporary stop signs posted to allow right turns on and off of Jefferson. Detours will be posted guiding traffic around the work zone via Cherry Street and Kimbrough Avenue.   

Phase 2:

Expect construction to shift to the west side of the project. A single lane of southbound traffic will remain open. Right turns off Jefferson will not be permitted between St. Louis and Walnut streets. All east- and westbound traffic crossing Jefferson will not be permitted through these intersections. Detours will be posted guiding traffic around the work zone via Grand Street and Campbell Avenue.

“The new light at Jefferson and St. Louis will be one of the major changes to the area,” says Nelson. “We have considerable cross traffic demand at this location. This signal will provide a controlled crossing and increased accessibility and safety for both pedestrians and vehicles attempting to cross Jefferson.”  

Construction of the Jefferson Avenue Streetscape improvements is anticipated to last 90 days at a cost of $1.8 million. It is funded through the ¼-cent Capital Improvement and 1/8-cent Transportation sales taxes.