NEWPORT NEWS — If you have been driving along Jefferson Avenue near Patrick Henry Mall, you may have noticed some orange cones, closed lanes and construction crews.
So what’s the deal?
The city-funded project is to enhance the safety of pedestrians in the area by creating crosswalks and pedestrian signs at the intersections of HQ Way, Operations Drive and Freedom Way along Jefferson Avenue.
Four pedestrian crosswalk button signals will be installed.
The cost of the Traffic Signal Pedestrian Project is $55,000 — the project is to adapt to increased foot traffic in the area.
“Before the project can begin, crews need to complete some arterial resurfacing in the area,” Sarah Bowman, spokeswoman for the city, wrote in an email. “Cones are occasionally placed to assist with traffic control when any contractor or design engineers are working in the area.”
In addition, the crews will repair sidewalks near the intersections and install standard, white crosswalks, Bowman added.
The project is expected to end in the beginning of October, according to the city’s project page.
This is one of many projects the city is involved in, including the 2019 Arterial Resurfacing and Concrete Program, which overlaps a portion of Jefferson Avenue near Patrick Henry Mall. For more information about Traffic Signal Pedestrian Project and other city projects, visit the city’s Project List page.
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