Demolition of the western bridge has begun over the old public parking lot. In order to safely accommodate the demolition’s progression, Old Avon will be closed to through traffic under the bridge between East South Street and Monticello Road on Thursday, January 5th and Friday, January 6th from 7:30AM to 5:30PM. Traffic will need to use Monticello Road to access the eastern Old Avon cul-de-sac and the businesses off of it OR Sixth Street SE to East South Street to the western portion of Old Avon. Old Avon will remain closed between Garrett Street and East South Street to continue grading and stormwater activities for the new pedestrian plaza.
Beginning Monday, January 9th, Monticello Road between Graves Street and Old Avon will be flagged as two retaining walls begin construction. East South Street and Old Avon will also be flagged to complete utility relocation.
Vehicular traffic will be flagged on Graves Street between 9th/Avon Street and Monticello Road to aid in construction of curbing and sidewalk.
Vehicular traffic at the bridge on Water Street will be flagged with both pedestrian and vehicular travel being intermittently stopped for up to 15 minute intervals for bridge demolition. The northern sidewalk east of and under the bridge on Water Street is closed and pedestrians are being directed to the southern sidewalk at existing crosswalks. The mid-block crosswalk on Water Street under the bridge is also closed.
To accommodate construction, segments of sidewalk and crosswalks will also be closed as work progresses. No street will have both sides of the sidewalk closed at the same time. The western sidewalk will be closed along 9th/Avon between East Market Street and Graves Street. The eastern sidewalk along 9th/Avon Street will be closed between Levy Avenue and Graves Street. Pedestrians will be directed to the sidewalk on the opposing side via the mid-block crossing at Graves Street across 9th/Avon Street. The western crosswalk across Graves Street will be closed with pedestrians directed to the mid-block crossing 9th/Avon Street at Graves. The southern sidewalk along Old Avon Street is closed between Monticello Road and where it terminates near East South Street.
Temporary solar powered lights have been installed along the eastern sidewalk of 9th/Avon Street between Graves Street and East Market Street. An alternate pedestrian route to either Water Street or East Market Street is available via Garrett Street to 4th Street SE.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project area and access to private parcels will be accommodated.
Construction is being conducted by Caton Construction Group, Inc. for the City of Charlottesville’s Department of Public Works. The pedestrian pushbuttons at the 9th/Avon/Levy/Garrett intersection have been relocated to the large, wooden signal poles (NE, NW and SW corners) and an auxiliary wooden post with metal conduit (SE corner).
Work zone is posted at 25 MPH – please drive carefully with phones down.