Street Construction Closures

U.S. 31 work

Update on the Athens High School access improvements project.

The contractor is working along U.S. 31 and at the U.S. 31/Pryor Street intersection. The contractor then will address Golden Eagle Drive.

Downtown Renovations for pedestrian safety and better handicap accessibility

Public Works is letting the street cuts settle and will come back in August to pave and permanently stripe.

First Avenue Area Drainage Project

A contractor plans to start work on the First Avenue Area drainage improvement project while school is out for Spring Break.

Hawkins Groundwork will start on North Houston Street by Athens Elementary on Monday, March 18. Public Works Director James Rich said crews will block North Houston Street north of Pryor Street to through traffic but will make it accessible for residents.

Spring Break for Athens City Schools is March 18 through March 22.

The City of Athens received a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to improve drainage in the area between Athens Elementary and Athens-Limestone Hospital. The city’s match is $159,560.

The project involves improvements to the drainage system along First Avenue, Horton Street and Hobbs Street in the First Avenue neighborhood. The project will improve drainage for over 150 single-family homes, two multi-family housing buildings, Athens Senior Center, a few medical businesses and Athens Elementary School. The work includes new reinforced concrete pipe, over 30 inlets and pavement work.

As the project progresses, it will impact various neighborhood streets. The contractor has 120 days to complete the project.

“During the major rainfall we recently received, the issue with drainage in this area from surface water was readily evident,” Mayor Ronnie Marks. “This area has issues even on a rainy day, much less a rain event.”


Spring 2019 paving projects

At the March 11 Athens City Council meeting, the Council authorized Mayor Ronnie Marks to issue a task order to Reed Contracting for spring paving projects totaling $795,000.

Public Works Director James Rich said the paving should start before the end of April and be complete by the end of May, weather permitting.

Funding for the projects will come from the capital infrastructure fund.

The projects are:

North Jefferson from Hobbs to Elm streets; mill and pave - $300,000

Durham Drive from Sanderfer Road to Steelcase; patch and pave - $100,00

Fifth Avenue from Jefferson to West Market streets; overlay pave - $125,000

Lucas Ferry Road from Sanderfer Road south to Moyers Road (cost share with Limestone County); overlay and pave - $150,000 (city portion)

Clinton Street from Washington to Forrest streets, including the intersection with Hobbs Street; mill and pave - $120,000

TOTAL: $795,000

Street closures due to events

These events have received permits:
  • May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo Parade; starts at arena, goes east on Market, north on Jefferson and West on Elm ending at the arena.
  • Sept. 14 from 7-10 a.m. - Travis Manion Foundation 5K; starts and ends at Veterans Museum and impacts Pryor, Marion, Washington,Hine, Houston, Third Avenue, Madison, and West Hobbs.
  • Sept. 21 from 7-10 a.m. - KALB Duck and Run 5K; starts and ends at Big Springs Park. Route impacts East, Washington, Forrest, Houston, First Avenue, Madison, Market, Marion and Beaty.
  • Oct. 18-19 from 5 p.m. on the 18th to 9 p.m. on the 19th - Marion and Washington closed.

ATRIP, TAP and other projects that will impact streets (estimated start dates)

The City of Athens coordinates with the Alabama Department of Transportation on these projects, and the dates are subject to change
  • Forrest Street bridges and resurfacing – The street east of U.S. 31 closed March 4, 2019, and will remain closed until summer 2020, weather permitting. This is to replace the two bridges over Swan Creek and make other safety improvements. Click here for more project info.
  • Alabama 251 roundabout – Wait until Forrest St bridges done. (State project)
  • Courthouse Square – Will pave in August.
  • U.S. 31/Pryor Street Sidewalk – Waiting ALDOT approval to bid.