The City and Borough of Juneau is beginning the first phase of its Downtown Street Improvements on Feb. 27, CBJ announced Wednesday. The work starts with a new roadway, new sidewalks, new lighting and draining improvements to parts of South Franklin Street.
This phase — which is the first of three — is done in conjunction with Arete Construction and is expected to run until June. The work covers the part of South Franklin Street that runs from Manila Square to Ferry Way, then from Ferry Way to Front Street.
Most of the work is expected to take place on the first block from Feb. 27 to April 15, and on the second block from April 15 to May 15, with full completion of Phase 1 scheduled for June 1. Arete will work Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., occasionally working on Sundays, according to the CBJ release.
South Franklin Street will be closed to through traffic from Manila Square to Ferry Way from the end of February to mid-April. Traffic will then be reversed on both Ferry Way and Front Street in the construction area from mid-April to mid-May. Construction will take place on one side of the street at a time, with the other side remaining open for pedestrians.
The construction cost of Phase 1, funded by a combination of marine passenger vessel fees, sales tax revenue and water utility funds, is $1.2 million. Phase 2 will encompass Front Street and a portion of North Franklin, while Phase 3 will deal with South Seward Street, Municipal Way, Shattuck Way and Ferry Way.
CBJ’s project manager Lori Sowa will provide weekly updates at 9 a.m. every Tuesday beginning Feb. 28, and more information can be found on the CBJ’s website.
