Construction on two of the city’s poorest rated streets — Lincoln and State — will begin early next week and last throughout the summer. Charlotte City Council approved in the spring of 2017 the reconstruction of both streets as part of a five-year street improvement plan. The project will cost the city an estimated $1.94 million.
Charlotte Mayor Tim Lewis said Lincoln Street will be closed from May 7 to Aug. 18. State Street will be closed from June 11 to Aug. 9.
“As part of the reconstruction, we will be replacing the sanitary sewer on Lincoln Street and adding some sanitary sewer and watermain on State Street,” Lewis said. “There will be detour signs up to help assist drivers around the construction areas.”
City of Charlotte DPW Director Amy Gilson said the sanitary sewer beneath Lincoln Street was in bad condition and needed to be replaced. An old water main will also be taken out during the project. Gilson said that the reconstruction of both streets will address structural issues that will give each a 20-25-year useful life, though that could be extended through preventative maintenance.
“Rehabilitation is something we can do on streets that haven’t fallen into disrepair,” Gilson said. “Lincoln and State streets were both gone. It’s much easier and cheaper to fix before they completely deteriorate.”
TCI of Eaton Rapids will be doing the construction work. Engineers Prein and Newhof plan to post a daily project blog once construction gets underway. A link will be found on the city’s website — charlottemi.org.
“It’s a tight schedule and a lot of work,” Gilson said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Gilson said work on State Street will be done while school is out for summer break, and will be completed before school resumes in mid-August. She said the city has been working with the West Side Fire Station to coordinate routes during construction.
