What's Going on With Marion's Central Corridor Project?

It's hard not to notice the ongoing Central Corridor Project with so much of the uptown area under construction, but it's not easy to keep track of exactly what's going on.

Thankfully, Anderson Bogart, an engineering and construction company that is working with the city on the project, has posted a video blog explaining this week's progress.

And if that's not enough for your construction viewing pleasure, you can check out this live stream of Sixth Avenue, which seems to be recording from city hall.

In addition, an update on the road closings have been provided by the city, which you can find below:

Opening of Ninth Street Intersection Provides Traffic Relief:

A significant project milestone was reached Thursday as contractors opened the intersection of 6^th Avenue & 9^th Street.

Motorists will also notice that the 800 block of 6^thAvenue is now open for vehicular and pedestrian use. While this area is open, please be aware that work will continue in Stage 1 over the next several weeks.

Later this week, asphalt will be installed in the four corners of the 9^th Street intersection in order to prepare for the installation of brick between the new sidewalk ramps (watch this week's video blog for an illustration of this area).

Contractors will also place rock in the amenity zone along the 900 block. This is in preparation for the clay pavers that will be installed in this area. The asphalt bed for the street bricks will be laid on Monday. Sidewalks in the 900 block are now complete, and representatives with DDM Landscape & Irrigation have installed irrigation lines that will serve the new trees to be planted in the area. New soil will also be placed this week in the tree pits that are located in the amenity zone (between the curb and sidewalk). 

Work is now well underway in Stages 2 & 3. Over the past week contractors completed sanitary sewer and water main work in the 10^th Street intersection. They are now working to complete the installation of new storm sewer.

Also this week, contractors will begin preparing the sub base in the 10^th Street intersection for paving, drainage tile will be placed behind the park limestone wall, and work will begin on the new infiltration beds at the 10^thStreet intersection. Infiltration beds are landscaped areas that provide storm water runoff improvements. These improvements include reducing peak rates and improving water quality. 

No additional intersection closures are scheduled over the next week. It is anticipated that the 11^th Street intersection may be closed for construction as early as next Wednesday, July 18^th.  

Pedestrians accessing Marion City Park from the south will notice that all stairs are now closed for use. The Marion Public Library remains accessible from the north via 12^th Street. Contractors have used approximately 34 of the allowed 100 working days. 

Seventh Avenue Overlay Project Starts Thursday:

Motorists will notice additional delay along 7^th Avenue in Marion beginning this Thursday, July 12^th. Seventh Avenue, from 1^st Street thru 9^th Street will receive an asphalt overlay. The construction will take approximately two weeks.  

On Thursday, traffic will be diverted to one-lane in each direction. Milling of the existing surface will take place, followed by the laying of new asphalt. Seventh Avenue will remain open to one-lane traffic throughout the entire project. Please be advised that delays will be expected in the area due to this and other significant construction now underway in the Marion uptown area.