A short section of Jackson Avenue in the Old City will close at 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 to accommodate replacement of two structurally deficient Jackson Avenue ramps connecting to Gay Street.

The 100-year-old ramps will be demolished and replaced, and the red cobblestone-like bricks will be removed during the demolition and put back in place as part of the new construction. The new ramps, which will closely resemble the historic ramps, are expected to reopen in September 2020.

While the ramps are being replaced, there will be no through traffic on that section of Jackson Avenue between Broadway and Central Street. Access will be maintained in the coming year to area businesses and to the City’s parking lot on West Jackson Avenue. (Motorists wishing to park in the lot will need to access it by turning onto West Jackson from Broadway.)

Traffic on Gay Street overhead will not be affected.

East-west pedestrian access through the construction zone on Jackson Avenue will be maintained during the project. A brightly-colored metal staircase at the southern end of the Gay Street Viaduct will provide pedestrian access between Gay Street and Jackson.

The total project cost is $8.2 million. The contractor is Bell & Associates Construction.