With the north side of East Blount Avenue substantially complete, Charles Blalock and Sons Inc. will be closing the south side of East Blount Avenue between Chapman Highway/Henley Street and Gay Street, beginning the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 25, to continue new streetscapes improvements between the Henley and Gay Street bridges.

The traffic lanes will be shifted to continue additional roadway improvements as part of the Blount Avenue Streetscape Project, including installation of storm sewer, water lines, utility connections, street lighting and traffic signal upgrades to support the new residential development, One Riverwalk. 

East Blount Avenue will continue to have two travel lanes with a reduced speed limit through the construction zone. Bicyclists will share travel lanes with vehicular traffic. Through traffic to points east or west along Blount Avenue may bypass the construction zone by using the Henley or Gay Street bridges as an alternate route. 

The sidewalk on the south side of East Blount Avenue will be closed, and signs will direct pedestrians to the north sidewalks on East Blount.

Additional roadway work and utility upgrades will continue along West Blount Avenue between Chapman Highway and the Norfolk Southern railroad overpass near St. Paul Street to support the new 303 Flats student housing. 

The new streetscape design along East and West Blount Avenue will improve pedestrian connections and enhance multi-modal options with bicycle lanes and bus stops. Additional improvements include street and pedestrian-scaled lighting, landscaped medians and signal modifications to support these two new South Waterfront residential developments. 

“The streetscapes project is a large component that balances and supports two new private developments, One Riverwalk and 303 Flats, located along the South Waterfront,” said Dawn Michelle Foster, Redevelopment Department Director. “These public improvements are vital in creating better circulation, connections and street character for our existing and future residents along the South Waterfront.”