South Avenue Streetscape to Start This Week

The South Avenue streetscape project is slated to start later this week with the installation of new curbing on the west-bound side of the street.

The six-to-eight-week project will bring a new design to the business corridor from Boulevard to Westfield Avenue. The first phase of the project will be new curbing on the train station side of the street, followed by new curbing on the business side of the street. Town Engineer Kris McAloon said the curbing will be installed in sections in order to accommodate drivers along the street.

"We won't block off the whole section of the street," he said.

The installation of new sidewalks on the business side of the street, along with new decorative streetlamps, will follow the new curbs. McAloon said the needs of the businesses on the street will be taken into account with the installation of the new sidewalks. In addition, he anticipates only one lane to be blocked at a time on South Avenue in order to handle traffic flow.

McAloon said the contractors have been informed of the need to handle traffic on the busy street during the construction project. He said the police will be on hand to handle traffic control and the project may experience slight delays during heavy traffic periods.

The project is designed to improve the look of the South Avenue business corridor and bring it more in line with the north side business district. The long-awaited project is considered the final piece in the design of the downtown business district. The Downtown Westfield Corporation is planning a new car show in October in order to showcase the new street.