What to know about near $5M road construction project beginning soon in Springfield

Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal- Register
·1 min read
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The city of Springfield has targeted May 6 as the start of work for converting traffic on a 1.6-mile stretch of Fourth Street from one-way to two-way traffic.

That will include the setup of temporary barricades to close one lane of Fourth Street from South Grand Avenue to Dodge Street, said T.J. Heavisides, the city's chief traffic engineer.

Traffic signals have already been in place, he said.

The prep work will also include restriping the street with new yellow lines, minor striping at intersections and changes in signage.

Adams Street from Sixth Street to Ninth Street will also be converted to two-way.

While traffic lights point both north and south on Fourth Street at the corner of Capitol Avenue on Tuesday Dec. 12, 2023, the one-way signs could be coming down in early May, said Public Works officials at the city of Springfield.
While traffic lights point both north and south on Fourth Street at the corner of Capitol Avenue on Tuesday Dec. 12, 2023, the one-way signs could be coming down in early May, said Public Works officials at the city of Springfield.

The work schedule is dependent on the weather, Heavisides said.

It is set to wrap up May 10, but he added that the city won't remove barriers until the signals are operative and the signage is complete.

Another change on Adams Street is that there will be reverse angle parking only on the south side of the street.

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That means, Heavisides said, vehicles' doors and trunks will open to the sidewalks.

It is also designed to increase parking efficiency and reduce the risk of accidents when entering and exiting parking spaces.

The cost of the project is $4.6 million and is being coordinated by Egizii Electric. The funding comes from Rebuild Illinois through the increase of the state motor fuel tax.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com /@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Construction to begin soon on 4th Street in Springfield. What to know