Fourth Street Infrastructure Project

WHY THIS PROJECT?

This project is part of the City’s Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) which is a federal mandate to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO’s) into our waterways. Combined sewers are individual lines that carry both sanitary sewage and storm water in the same pipe. CSO’s occur during heavy rainfall events in which the wastewater treatment plant cannot handle heavier flows so the combined sewage is discharged into the waterways. In addition, the existing combined sewer lines are made of brick, are very old, and are deteriorating in several locations.

WHERE IS THE PROJECT? (click here for map)

• South Fork of the Licking River to West National Drive
• West National Drive, approximately 200 feet east and west of South 4^th Street
• South 4^th Street from West National Drive to West Main Street
• North 4^th Street from West Main Street to West Locust Street
• West Locust Street from North 4^th Street to North 5^th Street
• Granville Street from North 5^th Street to SR 16 overpass

WHAT IS THE PROJECT?

The older combined sewer pipes will be separated into newer lines carrying stormwater in one pipe and sanitary sewer in the other pipe. In addition, all waterlines will be replaced. Some green infrastructure will be part of the project near the downtown area as well (click here for green infrastructure (GI) maps). Similar to the downtown square project, this project will provide the opportunity to improve upon the existing roadway network since the pavement and sidewalks will be demolished to install the underground infrastructure.

The goal of the transportation improvements is to reduce crashes within the project area approximately 30% and provide a more pedestrian and bicyclist friendly environment. The following improvements are expected to help achieve that goal:

S. 4^th St. South of Railroad Tracks (Click here for map)

• Two-Way Left Turn Lane on S. 4^th St. from W. National Dr. to W. Harrison St.
• Eliminate On-Street Parking on S. 4^th St. from W. National Dr. to W. Market St.
• Bike Path on East Side of S. 4^th St. from W. National Dr. to W. Main St.
• Eliminate Stairs on East Side of S. 4^th St. under the Railroad Tracks and at Walnut St.

S. 4^th St. North of Railroad Tracks and N. 4^th St. (Click here for map)

• Two-Way Left Turn Lane on S. 4^th St. from Walnut St. to W. Main St.
• Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing on S. 4^th St. at W. Market St.
• Single-Lane Roundabout at N. 4^th Street and W. Main St. (Click here for Intersection Safety Study)
• Move Bike Route from N. 4^th St. to W. Church St. and N. 1^st St.
• Median on N. 4^th St. between W. Main St. and W. Church St.
• Single-Lane Roundabout at N. 4^th St. and W. Church St.
• Bike Racks, Benches, and Trash Receptacles

W. Locust St. and Granville St (Click here for map)

• Single-Lane Mini-Roundabout at 5-Points Intersection
  (W. Locust St./N. 5^th St./Granville St.) (Click for map)
• Convert One-Way Traffic to Two-Way Traffic on W. Locust St. from N. 5^th St. to N. 6^th St.
• Two-Way Left Turn Lane on Granville St. from N. 5^th St. to N. 7^th St.
• Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing on Granville St. at N. 6^th St.
• Remove Unwarranted Traffic Signal at Granville St. and N. 6^th St.
• Prohibit Left Turns from N. 6^th St. to Granville St. (Use Mini-Roundabout at 5-Points)

All Areas

• Eliminate Redundant Access Points
• Decorative LED Street Lighting
• Reconstruct Roadway Pavement, Curbs, and Sidewalks

WHEN WILL THE PROJECT OCCUR?

• Construction is expected to begin in the early part of calendar year 2020.
• Construction is expected to end in the fall of calendar year 2023.
• The project will be constructed in phases which have not yet been finalized. We are currently anticipating the following potential phasing:

• Phase 1 – S. 4^th St. from W. National Dr. to the Railroad Overpass – Early 2020 to Fall 2020
• Phase 2 – S. 4^th St. from Railroad Overpass through W. Main St. – Fall 2020 to Fall 2021
• Phase 3 – N. 4^th St. from W. Main St. to W. Locust St. and W. Locust St. from N. 4^th St. through N. 5^th St. – Fall 2021 to Fall 2022
• Phase 4 – Granville St. from N. 5^th St. to SR 16 overpass – Fall 2022 to Fall 2023

 

HOW MUCH WILL THE PROJECT COST?

• TOTAL ESTIMATED COST = $28 Million
• To be funded by Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Development, and Revenue Bonds.
   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Why Roundabouts? (Click here for Roundabouts information page)
• Traffic Model of Proposed Changes on N. 4^th St. between W. Main St. and W. Locust St.
  Click here for a video of the proposed traffic model)
• A public open house was held on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. If you were unable to attend, please direct any questions or comments to engadmin AT newarkohio DOT net or (740) 670-7727 by May 8, 2019. Click here for the Property Owner Notification Letter. Click here for map of the mailing list area.