Land-clearing under way for Frederick Road project – Opelika Auburn News

Land is being cleared in preparation for construction on the last phase of Opelikas Frederick Road extension, a project to connect the city limits to downtown.

Robinson Paving, the contractor based out of Columbus, Ga., have had its workers clearing land off of W.E. Morton Avenue to prepare for the import of materials to build up the roadway, according to Scott Parker, engineer for the city of Opelika.

The contractor will continue clearing trees and brush from the site and will begin bringing in material to build up the roadway, Parker said.

Parker said the contractor has already installed construction traffic control signs, barrels along the work zone and survey stakes that represent the limits of the construction.

A stream in the area will be diverted temporarily so a drainage structure that will need to be constructed on site can begin in the next few weeks, Parker said.

The contractor also is planning on starting the replacement of sidewalks on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Auburn Street as well as a relocation of a sanitary sewer line on Auburn Street, Parker said.

Opelika Councilwoman Patsy Jones said she is happy to see progress being made on a project the city has been working on to complete for many years.

I am excited about the improvements that will come to fruition in Ward 1, Jones said. For many years, the residents have waited for better sidewalks and lighting on Auburn Street and Martin Luther King. These long awaited improvements will also increase safe walking for residents who may walk downtown.

Parker said there will be construction traffic on Auburn Street and MLK Boulevard with the sewer and sidewalk projects but the roads will remain open to traffic.

There may be some delays for flaggers and construction equipment and drivers should always enter construction zones with slow, cautious driving, Parker said. An increase of dump trucks bringing in material (dirt) will also be evident as the roadway is being constructed. In a few months there will be some detours as the contractor removes the traffic signal and completes the roundabout.

Updates on the project will be posted on the city of Opelikas website at http://www.opelika-al.gov.

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Land-clearing under way for Frederick Road project - Opelika Auburn News