Construction is scheduled to start next week on a long-awaited infrastructure fix for a section of West Third Avenue, just west of Olentangy River Road.
Residents of both the Fifth by Northwest and Harrison West neighborhoods have complained for years about the condition of the street as it passes underneath the railroad tracks that run along the eastern edge of Grandview Yard. With no sidewalks, a narrow right of way, and an embankment on both sides of the road, people walking along Third in either direction were faced with no good options for getting through to the other side.
Work to change that begins on the 28th, although the complexity of the changes being made means that the entire project likely won’t be finished until the fall of 2017, according to an update from the city’s Department of Public Service.
The first task, laying conduit on Third, will not require lane closures or detours, but expect those types of disruptions to begin in January.
A sidewalk will be added along the north side of Third and a shared-use path along the south side, connecting existing facilities on both sides of the railroad tracks. The railroad bridge will be completely reconstructed to make room for the improvements, and Third will be widened to accommodate turns onto Rail Street.
Also planned as part of the project are new trees and landscaping, as well as upgraded street lights and signs.
For more information, visit www.columbus.gov.