Beginning Tuesday, May 29, Central Street will be closed between Willow and Jackson avenues during daytime hours while contractor crews improve the sidewalks and crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety and traffic calming.

The work will be done by contractor Design and Construction Services Inc. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily through Friday, June 8. Access to business entrances will be maintained continuously, and the sidewalks will remain open with detours around concrete pours.

Bulb-outs and new curb cuts will be added at the intersections at Central and Willow and at Central and Jackson. The bulb-outs increase visibility to motorists of pedestrians crossing the intersection, and they also shorten the crossing distance. The improved curb cuts enhance accessibility.

Later this summer, Central Street will be repaved, and colored stamped asphalt crosswalks will be added, similar to the crosswalks on Cumberland Avenue and throughout parts of downtown. Again, the intent is to increase visibility and awareness that pedestrians may be crossing the intersections.

The total cost of the curb cuts, bulb-outs, repaving and colored stamped crosswalks will be about $150,000.