MANSFIELD — Four months remain for the completion of the $20.3 million Main Street Improvement Project in the city’s downtown.
Progress on the 18-month project entered a new phase this week after series of major structural completions, though officials reminded drivers a key downtown intersection remains closed.
The project is a complete upgrade of Main Street from First to Sixth streets and Park Avenue from Main to Diamond streets, designed by K.E. McCartney & Associates of Mansfield with Kokosing Construction as the primary contractor.
Officials have said the work will be complete by the end of October, including a conversion of the street to two-way traffic.
Recent work from June 15 to June 26 focused heavily on the Park Avenue and Main Street intersection, where crews completed excavation, grading and poured new concrete pavement.
“Every week of progress brings us closer to a modernized downtown,” said Jennifer Kime, CEO of Downtown Mansfield Inc. “We appreciate the community’s partnership and patience as we invest in the future of our city center.”
(Below are recent photos of work being done on the Main Street Improvement Project. The images are courtesy of Braxton Daniels/Studio 45.)
During the last two weeks, workers removed sidewalks and pavement south of Park Avenue, installed crosswalks at the Park Avenue intersection and flagpole crossing, and placed planter curbs nearby.
Infrastructure upgrades also advanced as electrical crews pulled wire and installed conduit along Park Avenue down to Second Street.
Additional improvements included pouring pole bases, starting light pole installations on Park Avenue, and laying asphalt at the Mechanics Bank parking lot and driveways.
At the downtown plaza, crews placed wall forms and poured concrete for wall thresholds while continuing stone veneer wall grouting and capstone installation.
Looking ahead, construction will shift toward finishing touches and extended utility work.
According to project updates, crews will continue subgrade compaction and concrete pavement placement at the Park Avenue intersection.
Decorative Paving will proceed with brick installations between Third Street and Park Avenue, while Smith Paving is scheduled to continue concrete pours throughout the project limits.
“We are working to create a safer, more accessible and more vibrant downtown for everyone,” Kime said.
Other scheduled tasks for this week include:
- Continued curb and sidewalk work between First and Third streets.
- Additional drainage work along Park Avenue and South Walnut Street.
- Ongoing stone veneer installation on walls throughout the project limits.
- Electrical work to remove old traffic signals and pull new wire.
The Park Avenue intersection remains closed to all traffic. Drivers on Main Street are being detoured via Mulberry Street and Diamond Street. Park Avenue traffic is directed to use Third Street and Fourth Street.
Project officials said minor delays are expected, but said all downtown businesses remain open and accessible.
Drivers can reach businesses near Park Avenue by using Diamond Street, Main Street, North Park Street and South Park Street.
