Clayton Street Improvements Project Update -
May 7, 2020

Completed: Stormwater Infrastructure Work

Good news! Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works crews from the Streets and Drainage Division have finished the stormwater installation as part of the East Clayton Street Improvements Project.

The work was completed six weeks earlier than projected when work began on January 6, even with the weather delays experienced earlier this year.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, multiple crews worked with physical distancing between each other and separation from the other crews during April. Due to the lack of traffic downtown, streets and lanes were closed to allow for more efficient work.

A big thanks goes out to our stormwater crews, who worked through the heat, the rain, the cold, and other challenging downtown conditions - both above and below ground - over the past two years to update the stormwater infrastructure as part of this project.

What's Next: Georgia Power Work Begins May 11

Beginning May 11, Georgia Power will begin extensive work on 14 underground power vaults and manholes in the area in order to adjust their elevations for the new streetscape and change out covers. Some are located in the sidewalks, some are located in the street, and some are located in both.

• Work on each vault will take ~3-4 weeks and work on each manhole will take ~2-3 days.
• Georgia Power will begin work on Monday, May 11 on the first vault, located between College Avenue and Jackson Street on the north side of Clayton Street (see image below).
• Next, they are expected to move to the south side in the same block. The process is expected to move from one side of the street to the other, one block at a time.
• Georgia Power crews plan to be on site from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, weather permitting.
• Sidewalk restrictions, pedestrian rerouting, parking space closures, and lane restrictions/closures will take place to various levels depending on the vault/manhole location. No road closures are planned.

The streetscape contractor, Astra Group, will work with Georgia Power to make sure the sidewalks and streets are patched temporarily and are safe for use until the new streetscape is installed.

Once Georgia Power has finished a block, streetscape work is expected to begin in the area soon after. Currently, this timeframe appears to be in late June/early July, but is subject to change.

As work progresses, we will update the website and this newsletter, as well as contact businesses who are right next to vault / manhole work areas.

Streetscape Work Beginning This Summer

As mentioned above, exact beginning dates have not been set yet for streetscape work due the upcoming Georgia Power work mentioned above and continued uncertainly with plan changes as a result of COVID-19.

At this time, it is expected that streetscape work will begin after Georgia Power has completed at least one block. Throughout the entire corridor, streetscape work is expected to take ~18 months and will be completed in sections.

The Astra Group was selected in summer 2019 to work on the pre-planning, coordination of utility conflict resolution, and construction of the streetscape component of the project. They will also have a project ambassador to work as a business liaison.

The entire streetscape effort includes underground infrastructure needed to support items such as street lights and traffic signals, as well as hardscape surface elements such as curb and gutter, sidewalk replacement, and other above-ground elements such as landscaping, bike racks, benches, lights, public art, and other items.

• Some initial streetscape work such as surveying and "potholing" for new traffic signal locations took place in April 2020.
• Work is expected to largely be done in sections by block along the corridor.
• The initial work will involve the demolition of existing streetscape and the replacement to 75-80% of completion.
• Pedestrian paths will be maintained during these times.
• Final completion to 100% - landscaping and paving - will be done towards the end of the project in larger segments.

Additional information and upcoming dates that relate to the Clayton Street Area project will continue to be sent through this listserve.

For more information, including previous newsletters, visit www.accgov.com/clayton.