CONSTRUCTION ALERT

Date: April 11, 2008

FOURTH AVENUE UNDERPASS CONSTRUCTION ALERT

This is a continuing series of construction alerts that will be issued throughout the construction of the 4th Avenue Underpass Improvement Project. These alerts will announce construction, detour and closure information as it affects traffic. Motorists are asked to obey all posted speed limit signs within the construction area and be alert for construction crews and personnel working in the area.

On Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, Congress Street will be reduced to one travel lane, between Toole Ave and the intersection of 5th Avenue/Congress Street. This restriction is to allow the contractor to complete underground utility work in the intersection of 5th Avenue and Congress Street.

• On Saturday, April 12, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 5th Avenue, between Congress Street and Broadway, will be closed. This temporary closure will enable the contractor to complete underground utility work in the area. Once this temporary one-day restriction is complete, the 5th Avenue traffic restrictions noted below will be in place.
• Demolition of the north half of the 4th Avenue underpass will begin on Monday, April 14, and is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. No impacts to traffic are expected during this operation, however, motorists should be alert for haul trucks in the area while excess material is removed from the demolition site.
• Beginning Monday, April 7, 5th Avenue, between North Toole and 12th Street, will be restricted to southbound travel only. This restriction will be in place through April 18, and will allow workers to safely complete underground utility improvements.
• The 200 Block Reserved Parking lot, located west of 5th Street, between Congress Street/ Broadway can be accessed via Arizona Avenue from either Congress Street or Broadway. This change in access will be in effect while the 5th Avenue traffic restrictions are in place.
• Eastbound Broadway traffic, between 6th and 4th Avenues will be shifted periodically to accommodate underground utility work, track installation and roadway improvements in the area. This work is expected to be ongoing through June 2008.

The following traffic impacts remain in effect:

• Construction of drainage facilities on 9th Street/Stevens Avenue between 4th Avenue and 8th Street continues. 9th Street/Stevens Avenue will remain closed through mid-April 2008. Business access will be maintained via 4th Avenue.
• 4th Avenue Underpass is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Fourth Avenue businesses can be reached by using 6th Street.
• Parking is available at the Pennington Street Garage. The entrance to the garage is located on Scott Avenue, just north of Congress Street.

Access to all businesses within the construction area will be maintained at all times. Please obey all traffic control signs and watch for construction personnel and equipment in the work zone.

For more information, visit www.4thavenueunderpass.info and www.knowyourwaydowntown.info

The Tucson Department of Transportation (TDOT) keeps Tucson moving smoothly and safely. The Department’s nearly 400 employees oversee the maintenance and reconstruction of nearly 4,400 lane miles of streets and are responsible for hundreds of drainage structures, public art pieces, streetlights and signs, and traffic signs and signals in Tucson. TDOT also operates the City’s transit services, Sun Tran and Van Tran.