TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The City of Tallahassee is beginning to work on a new sidewalk that will run along Centerville Road between Hodges Drive and Blair Stone Road.
Sidewalks are already located along Blair Stone and Centerville Road up to Hodges Drive, and sidewalks are also located on the west side of the road. Therefeore, this project is all about connectivity. The sidewalk will be built on the east side of the roadway, and it will connect the existing sidewalks.
The project will be completed in two phases: from Hodges Drive to Goodwood Drive and from Goodwood Drive to Blair Stone Road. Additionally, two crossings will be created to tie into the existing sidewalks on the west side of the road at the Betton Road intersection and the Trescott Drive intersection. Benches will also be installed as pedestrian rest areas.
The City is working closely with the Canopy Road Citizens Committee, who approved the project, due to the fact that Centerville is a canopy road. The City has designed the sidewalk in a way that will protect the trees and their root systems to the greatest extent possible. No direct impacts to any trees are anticipated.
Some of the measures taken to protect the canopy zone include elevated boardwalks, custom sidewalk structures that reduce the impact to the root zone, and the sidewalk will curve to follow the natural landscape. Any necessary root pruning will occur under the supervision of a Certified Arborist.
Additionally, some underbrush will be removed as part of the project. The underbrush removal will make the sidewalk visible to vehicles on Centerville Road and increase pedestrian safety.
Work is already beginning on Phase 1 between Hodges to Goodwood drives. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by November. Construction hours will normally be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with limited weekend work and restrictions during morning and evening rush hour.
Three different traffic patterns will be implemented during the project based on the location of construction. Throughout the project, accommodations will be made for local residents to access their homes.
While work is taking place between Goodwood and Trescott drives, the northbound lane within the work zone will be closed. Two-way traffic will be maintained with the use of flagmen. Motorists should expect minor delays.
While work is taking place between Trescott Drive and Betton Road, the northbound lane within the work zone will be closed. Northbound traffic will be detoured at Betton Road to E. Randolph Circle to Argonne Road back to Centerville Road. Residents living on Cantigny Way and Escadrille Drive will only be able to exit and head south on Centerville Road. Southbound traffic will not be impacted.
While work is taking place between Betton Road and Hodges Drive, the northbound lane within the work zone will be closed. Northbound traffic will be shifted to the middle turn lane. Southbound traffic will not be impacted.
Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin in November, following the completion of phase 1. Updated traffic patterns will be provided prior to its start.
As this work is taking place within the Canopy Road Protection Zone, we are taking extra measures to ensure that safety of the crew, motorists and the environment. For more information on this project, please contact the City’s Public Works Department at 891-8234.
