With years of downtown and gateway construction complete, and with another year of work planned, Franklin is getting a unique feature downtown meant to set the city apart even more.
A giant-sized city seal is being installed on the asphalt at the intersection of Main and Jefferson streets this week.
The seal will be 25 feet in diameter. The installation work should take one day and is expected to be completed before Smoke on the Square begins on Friday. Flaggers will direct traffic while the work is being done, city engineer Mark Richards said.
The city is in the midst of a four-year project to redo Jefferson and King streets, from U.S. 31 to Interstate 65.
The roadwork is meant to improve traffic, drainage and pedestrian access and has been considered key to continue supporting the downtown businesses and commerce through the city. The seal is a unique aesthetic feature that will set Franklin apart, city leaders have said.
The nearly $22,000 seal was supposed to be included in the initial project contract, but was accidentally left out and approved this spring by the board of public works and safety.
The towers and Franklin city signs in the gateway at I-65 and King Street were the initial features to beautify the city during the project. Board of works member Bob Swinehamer voted against the additional expense of the seal due to ongoing disappointment in the appearance of the towers and the ability to see the logo at the top.
Globe Asphalt Paving Co. is installing the seal at the intersection.
