What's the status of the Fifth Avenue sidewalk improvements? | MyReporter

Madison Lipe, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
The City of Wilmington and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority are working on sidewalk improvements to Fifth Avenue. Construction will be contingent on utility work, which is expected to take 18 months for completion.
The City of Wilmington and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority are working on sidewalk improvements to Fifth Avenue. Construction will be contingent on utility work, which is expected to take 18 months for completion.

The city of Wilmington is working with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority to improve sidewalks on Fifth Avenue.

Dave Mayes, city of Wilmington public services director, said the public services department started looking at Fifth Avenue after the 2020 pavement conditions survey.

"The pavement conditions on Fifth Avenue between Market and Greenfield are in very poor condition, failing condition in fact," Mayes said.

There are sections of the sidewalk along the avenue that have broken or missing panels. The current sidewalk also has ramps that are nonexistent or classified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as noncompliant. Parts of the curbs on Fifth Avenue have also been dislodged because of tree roots.

What are the planned improvements?

  • Asphalt resurfacing for 15 blocks of roadway

  • ADA ramp install/replacement will include 55 replacements and 11 new ramps

  • Sidewalk replacements for 450 panels and 2,000 feet newly installed

  • Curbing replacements for 500 feet and 1,400 feet newly installed

  • Storm drain rehabilitation for 5,000 feet lining and six drainage structures replaced

  • Restriping of one travel lane and bike lane as well as parking

  • New landscaping installed in the center median

Mayor Bill Saffo expressed disappointment that the improvements didn't include burying the power lines on Fifth Avenue.

"I don't think we should take aesthetics and sometimes put them on the back burner when they should be sometimes on the front burner," Saffo said.

What is taking so long?

Mayes said the process has taken so long because city staff has been coordinating with Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, which will also be making improvements along Fifth Avenue.

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's improvements include 7,000 feet of water main replacements as well as 10,000 feet of sewer main replacement or rehabilitation services.

How long will the project take?

The project will be broken into three sections, the first being from Dawson Street to Greenfield Street, the second from Castle Street to Dawson Street, and the last from Market Street to Castle Street.

Mayes said that the city's work will be contingent on the work being completed by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, which is set to begin in May. It is expected to take Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 18 months to finish all three sections.

"This is a long haul project to get all of this work done," Mayes said.

The Wilmington City Council awarded the construction contract to Fred Smith Company for $2.4 million on April 16. The construction will be coordinated with the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's contractor schedule.

The city plans to have a preconstruction meeting and schedule development in July.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Fifth Avenue, Wilmington, NC, sidewalk improvements