As Avondale Boulevard braces for its makeover, drivers should prepare to navigate the new terrain. The stretch from I-10 to Broadway Road is amidst a fresh phase of the Avondale Boulevard Resurfacing Project. According to the City's official communication, VSS International is clearing old lane markings, an overture for a Fractured Aggregate Surface Treatment (FAST) set to commence the week of September 23. This FAST method is not just your run-of-the-mill resurfacing; it's a hot asphalt application followed by a sprinkle of aggregates meant to prolong the pavement's life.
The work is vital, but it's not going to unfold without some inconvenience to the daily flow. To somewhat smoothly direct traffic, temporary controls will be put up, marking makeshift center lines and turn lanes. And before applying the FAST, there's milling to be done, painstakingly planned for the nights of September 22 and 23. The treatment itself is sliced into daily chunks from September 24 to 28, targeting specific stretches each day. Motorists can breathe a sigh of relief that at least one lane will stay open in each direction during these daylight hours, but the city advises to expect the unexpected and be ready to adapt. In October, crews will, at nighttime, add a second coating and re-define lanes and manholes, aiming for an early November finish line.
Once all is said and done, Avondale Boulevard will boast of new road markings, checkered crosswalks, and roomier bike lanes with a dash of buffer for the safety-conscious cyclist. All these improvements are not just for aesthetics; they're necessary adaptations for a growing city. Curious minds and eager eyes can scout out Avondale Connect for detailed schedules and sneak peeks at renderings of the endgame at www.avondaleconnect.org.
Schedules and plans, however subject to the whims of weather and the unpredictable, are laid out for the public's prying eyes. The City is pounding the drum of caution, urging everyone to heed the signs and signals installed for the safety of workers and passersby alike. Should your need for information go beyond what the eye can see on an artistic rendering, Avondale Public Works Department is but a call away at (623) 333-4400 to satiate your inquisitiveness.
