Construction began Jan. 30 on new sidewalks on both sides of North Central Street between the railroad tracks and Depot Avenue in the Old City, and upgrades are being made on the stormwater system as well.

The project is on schedule, and it’s at a point now where a full closure of the intersection of Central Street and Depot Avenue is required for Design and Construction Services Inc. crews to proceed with the stormwater system improvements.

The intersection will be closed through late March. For the next three to four weeks, northbound motorists on Central Street will be detoured along either West Jackson Avenue or East Jackson Avenue, depending on their destination. Northbound through traffic should turn right onto East Jackson, left onto Morgan Street and left on Magnolia Avenue to reconnect with Central. Motorists wanting to access businesses on Depot Avenue such as the Mill & Mine or the Blue Slip Winery should turn left off northbound Central onto West Jackson, then right onto North Gay Street, then right onto Depot.

The $250,000 streetscapes project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April. Pedestrian access along North Central will be maintained when possible, and access to White Lily Flats will be maintained throughout.