PARDON OUR PROGRESS

Jefferson Street is closed for a fabulous renovation. "Yes, it's inconvenient, but it's for the betterment of downtown as a whole," said Epple. "And while Jefferson Street is a main artery we do have easy access to downtown from Lafayette, Market, Elm and Front streets."

The section of Jefferson, north of Fifth Street to Main, is being renovated as the "gateway" to historic Downtown Washington. All cross streets are open except for Main and Third streets. Once those intersections are completed and reopened, work will begin on the intersections at Second and Fourth.

The streetscape project was one of the main projects in the downtown revitalization plan the city completed in 2004. The promotions committee is working on a campaign to keep people informed about the project which is expected to take 95 days to complete.

"We've been very lucky to tackle some of these big-ticket items. The first one was the Farmers' Market and now we've moved to the street project," she noted. "This is all good, positive progress. We're thrilled to see the Jefferson Streetscape project becoming a reality - what a boost to downtown."

As part of the project, overhead utility lines that cross Jefferson Street will be moved underground. Traffic lights at Fifth and Jefferson will be erected on permanent black decorative mast arms with street signs and way finding signage will be placed near the library. A two-sided clock also will be erected at the corner by the library and bump outs will be added and will feature trees at the corners of intersections and there will be brick pavers at the crossings. A flagpole plaza at the corner of Fourth and Jefferson will feature three flagpoles, flags, gravel and lights.

For the complete Missourian story click here.

Click here for Jefferson Street Enhancement Project--Work Schedule and Road Closure Map