Thursday March 28th, 2024 6:51AM

Portion of downtown Gainesville street to be closed for up to two weeks

By Staff

GAINESVILLE – Traffic congestion in downtown Gainesville is about to get a little bit worse.

The city announced on Thursday a two-week closure of a one-block section of Main Street as the Department of Water Resources implements several infrastructure projects.

Replacing century old water pipes between Broad and Spring Streets will require extensive excavation work and that will make that section of Main Street unusable beginning June 11th.

City Communications and Tourism Director Nikki Perry says work should be completed by the 22nd.

Perry said in a news release, “In addition to the replacement of 100-year-old pipes, the result will be a new, wider street and sidewalks down both sides of Main Street, as well as new road and sidewalks on Broad Street.”

The closures will be coordinated so that cars will have access to the public parking deck and the Hunt Tower parking lot. Sidewalks also will remain open on at least one side of Main Street throughout construction. Barrier fencing will be in place to keep pedestrians safe from the ongoing utility and road work. 

"Our contractor will have crews working around the clock to minimize the inconvenience of the construction," said Jason Perry, Design Services Section Chief for the Department of Water Resources, who is overseeing the project. "We met with local business owners to explain the process, and we encourage people to continue to visit those businesses in spite of the construction."  

When the water main project is finished, temporary paving will be installed. When the Carroll Daniel Construction project at the corner of Jesse Jewell Parkway and Main Street is complete, the city will install final paving on Main Street. Broad and Maple streets will also have brand new pavement and sidewalks. 

“The Gainesville Department of Water Resources continues to proactively provide water service for our growing city. These upgraded water mains, along with the new roads and sidewalks, ensure the health of Gainesville’s historic business district," Water Resources Director Linda MacGregor said.

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