Daily News-Record
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tunnel Work To Restart In May
South Main Street Lane Closures Planned
By Jeff Mellott
HARRISONBURG — Work on the tunnel under South Main Street this summer will result in lane closures and rerouting traffic, again, according to Winfield Hunt, the university’s director of facilities and planning.
The work by Nielsen Builders Inc. is expected to recommence after James Madison University’s graduation on May 3, Hunt said.
Workers are expected to complete the work in August before students arrive for the fall semester, Hunt told Harrisonburg City Council Tuesday.
The traffic plan calls for southbound motorists on South Main to be redirected west on Cantrell Avenue to South High Street. The detour would continue south to Maryland Avenue so motorists can re-enter South Main at Port Republic Road.
When completed, the tunnel will allow pedestrians to pass from the planned $80 million Center for the Performing Arts to the university’s quadrangle without crossing South Main Street.
The tunnel structure will be in place by August, Hunt said. The center is expected to be completed in 2010.
The retaining walls, the plaza at the arts center and the pathway to access the tunnel on the west side of Main Street will be completed along with center, he said.
Main Street Access
A project report given to council members said work would be staged to keep two lanes open for local traffic, including Blue Stone Drive, the university’s South Main Street entrance.
The plan allows traffic from Blue Stone Drive to either go northbound or southbound, the report said.
According to the plan, motorists would retain access to businesses on Grace Street.
The northbound through-traffic would continue to accommodate the city’s desire to use the Port Republic Road exit on Interstate 81 as a major gateway to downtown, Hunt said.
The team of city, JMU and Virginia Department of Transportation representatives worked out the detour that considered the effect on the city fire station on Maryland Avenue, Hunt said. Motorists also will have to cross two sets of railroad tracks.
Delays
The schedule for the $4 million project coincides with when there are fewer JMU students on campus.
Following the same schedule on the project last summer, workers finished a few days after the arrival of 3,900 freshmen for the start of the fall term.
The project also has resulted in lane closures in November and January.
City and university officials have said the tunnel, when completed, will make it safer for pedestrians who now must go across South Main Street.
For years, some residents have complained about pedestrians, primarily related to the university, mixing with traffic on the four-lane South Main Street.
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