Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Representatives of the city, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Branch Highways Inc., the contractor, met Thursday with about a dozen residents at First Baptist Church to outline the project's construction schedule.
Work began July 5 and should be finished by March 18. A 1,600-foot stretch of the avenue between Williamson Road and First Street Northwest will be moved north, straightened and widened to four lanes. The $2.2 million job is scheduled to coincide with the reopening of Hotel Roanoke.
"The next 60 days will be the noisiest, busiest time," said Thomas L. Partridge, a Branch vice president.
The contractor is excavating under the street to install Appalachian Power Co. utility lines and storm drains. Existing power poles will come down because all utility will be buried.
Limestone was discovered under the street, necessitating blasting that is scheduled for today. Partridge could not rule out more blasting in the future.
The construction includes some luxury features unusual in the typical VDOT project.
When it is finished, the avenue will sport concrete and brick sidewalks lined with trees, flowers and other landscaping. The contractor also is building a semicircular 30-by-75-foot plaza area with a stage for entertainers across the avenue from the hotel's driveway.
A 31-foot stone and stainless-steel gateway sign will be erected on the northwest corner of Commonwealth and Wells avenues. It will be flanked by trees and flower beds and illuminated at night.
by CNB