HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-2007 Spring Cleaning Begins On Viaducts Michigan Main Sts. at Bronson St. O�SpU TR
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Office of the Mayor
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, May 7, 2007
Contact: Toy Villa, Public Construction Manager, 574-235-5920
Tom Anderson, City Inspector, 574-876-7866
Mikki Dobski, Communications & Spec. Projects, 574-876-1564c. or 235-5855
Sprint Cleaning Begins On Viaducts - Michigan &
Main Sts. at Bronson St.
The City of South Bend announced today that Phase I of the plan to upgrade the Main and
Michigan St. viaducts at Bronson St. will begin Wednesday, May 9 and continue through Friday,
June 22, 2007. The viaduct renovation project is the latest effort in the City's ongoing campaign
to revitalize downtown South Bend and to set the stage for new or expanding economic and
downtown-residential development. Total cost of the project is $700,000. Funding for the
project was made possible through a partnership with Transpo to obtain a Build Indiana Fund
(BIF) grant. N. I . Spans Painting is the contractor.
"These viaducts span major portals into and out of our city center," said Mayor Luecke.
"They should reflect the revitalized enthusiasm we have for living and working downtown. We
are committed to making South Bend a place where businesses and residences thrive because of,
not despite, their environment."
Phase I of the revitalization project represents an investment of$360,000, and will involve
sandblasting the bridges (to clean them), followed by the application of a 2-coat paint finish.
During Phase II of the project, which is currently out for bid, the earth embankments approaching
the bridges will be landscaped, handrails will be replaced with decorative grillwork, and lighting
under the bridges will be improved for pedestrians and drivers.
-more-
Page 2.
Traffic Restrictions:
During Phase I, crews will first work on the Michigan St. segment of the viaduct. They
will work east to west to complete the sandblasting and they will then work west to east to
complete the painting.
For most of the process, traffic will be restricted to two lanes in the work area (See map
attached for initial traffic restrictions). While crews are working on the east side of the span,
access to Bronson from Michigan St. will be closed.
Crews will begin working on the Main St. segment, approximately a week later and will
work concurrently with the Michigan St. crews. Again, they will work east to west on
sandblasting, and then west to east on painting.
Access to businesses in the area will be maintained at all times. To lessen the impact on
downtown traffic, some of the work will be accomplished on nights and weekends during lighter
traffic, weather permitting. Throughout the project, the viaducts will be shrouded with tarps to
protect passing traffic from debris or paint.
"While we don't foresee that surrounding businesses will be negatively affected during
construction, we understand that there may be some traffic slowing," commented Carl Littrell,
City Engineer. "However, we believe that this project is a necessary step toward establishing the
south end of downtown as an attractive growth area for existing and new businesses."
Some delays may be expected during rush hours. To avoid any possible delays, using an
alternate route is recommended including Lafayette Blvd., which is now two-way from Indiana
Avenue north to Western. Motorists are reminded to observe all signage and to use caution when
driving through the restricted area The City reminds motorists that this is a Work Zone area and
to please use caution to ensure safety of the crews working in the construction area.
This information is also available online at www.southbendin.gov/traffic.
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