Franklin roads to get facelift

<p>Franklin residents should gear up for another season of roadwork, but the end is coming for a long-term road project.</p><p>A three-year project to revamp Jefferson and King streets in downtown Franklin is expected to wrap up later this year, a new roundabout should be done by Independence Day, dozens of alleys are getting rebuilt in downtown Franklin and a sidewalk is getting built from the fairgrounds to Westview Drive on the west side of U.S. 31.</p><p>City streets will also get a new layer of asphalt, but which roads will be paved and when is still being determined and will be based on funding, city engineer Mark Richards said.</p><p>City officials rolled out road construction plans for the year at an informational meeting for residents this week. Taxes are not expected to be raised for any of the projects and they are all mostly funded with tax-increment financing district funds or grants the city has received or is applying for.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>The engineering firm, Crossroad Engineers, Richards and Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett outlined what Franklin residents should expect for construction for the rest of the year and hinted at some projects that were coming in the next few years.</p><p><span>Jefferson Street reconstruction</span></p><p>Phases eight and nine of the Jefferson Street construction project were detailed, with the closing of Forsythe Street from north of Jefferson Street to north of King Street beginning on Monday. Engineers will begin phase eight by installing a new storm sewer. Closings will include the intersection of King and Forsythe streets. Forsythe Street should open by the middle of May.</p><p>Motorists traveling downtown during the phase eight closing can avoid the Forsythe Street closing by taking East Adams Drive toward Middleton Road and using Jefferson Street.</p><p>Phase nine will include work on east King Street from east of Forsythe Street to west of Middleton Road. This phase is expected to finish by the end of September, which would wrap up the project, Trent Newport with Crossroad Engineers said. </p><p>Motorists can detour that closure by taking Jefferson Street. The entire three-year project will cost about $12.2 million.</p><p><span>New roundabout</span></p><p>Another roundabout is being built on the city’s truck route at Arvin and Hurricane roads and Eastview Drive. Construction on the roundabout is estimated to begin on April 1.</p><p>Motorists can still get through the intersection during construction, although a detour using Amy Lane can be used to avoid the construction, Newport said.</p><p>The roundabout is expected to be finished by the beginning of July, he said.</p><p>The new roundabout is costing about $1.6 million with money coming from TIF redevelopment funds.</p><p><span>Parking,sidewalks and alleys</span></p><p>The city will take the first steps towards an eventual downtown amphitheater project by adding 100 parking spots on South Main Street.</p><p>The city is also planning to add a sidewalk on West Jefferson Street from the fairgrounds toward Westview Drive. No roads will be closed and the project will start in July and stretch toward the end of the year, Newport said.</p><p>&quot;This is basically a pedestrian-oriented project,&quot; he said.</p><p>The city has been working to rebuild alleys downtown. Alleys between Banta and Adams streets and between Ohio and Samuel streets are expected to be rebuilt. That work will likely begin in April, Richards said.</p><p>The rebuilt alleys improve the appearance of the city and properties, and also makes the alleys more drivable, which means police officers can use them for neighborhood patrols, Barnett said.</p><p><span>Looking ahead</span></p><p>In 2020, a roundabout will be built at State Road 144, Westview Drive and State Road 44.</p><p>The city is also working on plans to build a Main Street gateway into the city in 2020 and a Yandes Street rebricking project from Ohio to Jefferson streets is planned for 2021 and 2022, Barnett said.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At a glance" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Here is a look at what projects the city outline in a meeting Wednesday evening:</p><p><strong>Phases eight and nine of Jefferson Street:</strong> Forsythe Street from north of Jefferson Street to north of King Street will be closed starting Monday. The entire three-year project is slated to be completed this year.</p><p><strong>New roundabout:</strong> A roundabout is planned at Arvin and Hurricane roads and Eastview Drive. Construction on the roundabout is estimated to begin on April 1. Construction will not close roads, although Amy Lane can be used as a detour. The project should be finished by the beginning of July.</p><p><strong>New parking spots:</strong> About 100 new downtown parking spots will be added on South Main Street.</p><p><strong>Sidewalk:</strong> Sidewalks will be added on West Jefferson Street from the fairgrounds entrance toward Westview Drive. No roads will be closed and the project will start in July.</p><p><strong>Alley rebuilds:</strong> Alleys between Banta and Adams streets and between Ohio and Samuel streets are expected to be rebuilt starting in July.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]