On Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 6 a.m., crews will set up traffic control concrete barriers to prepare for construction activity in the area of the westbound I-10 frontage road at Cushing Street. The westbound I-10 frontage road at Cushing Street will be reduced to one travel lane to allow Sun Link Tucson Streetcar construction crews to install water lines. According to Sun Link Tucson Streetcar project manager Jesse Gutierrez, November 12 marks the start of an increasingly aggressive construction schedule, with multiple crews at west side, downtown and university-area locations, removing asphalt, performing utility work, placing rail and installing the streetcar’s overhead electrical system.

“With a number of crews working along the streetcar route, the project will be more than 50 percent complete by the end of November,” said Gutierrez. In the coming weeks there will be multiple street and intersection closures, along with traffic detours to enable crews to work quickly and safely. Gutierrez reminded the traveling public to be aware of flaggers, police officers, electronic message boards and signage to assist with navigating around construction activity. Pedestrian access is maintained to all businesses.

Specific construction activity includes:

Downtown

On Sunday, November 11, 2012, at 6 a.m., crews will set up traffic control concrete barriers to prepare for construction activity in the area of the westbound I-10 frontage road at Cushing Street. On Monday, November 12, 2012, at 6 a.m. the westbound I-10 frontage road at Cushing Street will be reduced to one travel lane while the contractor installs water lines. To prepare for underground utility work, the contractor will begin removing asphalt along Cushing Street and Granada Avenue.

• Cushing Street between Granada Avenue and the frontage road will be open to westbound travel only.
• No right turns from the westbound frontage road to Cushing Street will be permitted.

The contractor is continuing work installing water lines on Granada Avenue between Congress and Cushing Streets. Access to the Federal Court complex and the Tucson Convention Center will be maintained.

• As this work progresses, traffic movement will be alternated between the north and south bound lanes of travel to accommodate work in the area. One travel lane in each direction will be maintained. Most work along this section of roadway will take place between 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday through Friday.

On Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 6 a.m. Broadway from Church Avenue to Stone Avenue will be completely closed so that the contractor can begin the repair and replacement of the re-designed sewer system that extends across Broadway from Church Avenue to just west of the Stone Avenue intersection. The current condition of the sewer lines and manholes require extensive underground work. The boundaries of the work area and safety considerations necessitate a complete, 24-hour closure that is expected to be in place through mid-December, 2012. Officers will be on site during peak travel times to help with directing traffic.

• Broadway through traffic may detour north on Church Avenue to Pennington Street, east to Stone Avenue and south back to Broadway, or
• Broadway through traffic may detour south on Church Avenue to Cushing Street, east to Stone Avenue and north back to Broadway
• Turn movements from eastbound Broadway to northbound Church will be maintained during the day; however, there may be intermittent night time closures of this turn movement.
• Access to the underground parking garage for tenants of 1 South Church Avenue will be maintained.
• Parking will not be allowed along Church Avenue between Broadway and Jackson Street while the detour is in place.
• Sidewalk access will be maintained; however, north and southbound Church Avenue pedestrians must use the crosswalk on the west side of the intersection to cross Broadway while this intersection work is under way.

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 6 a.m., the contractor will begin extending the water main across the intersection of Church Avenue and Congress Street.

• Southbound Church Avenue through traffic must turn west at Congress Street. Signs will be in place to help direct motorists.

Park Avenue - University Boulevard to Second Street

On Monday, November 12, 2012, beginning at 6 a.m., through Wednesday, November 21, 2012, Park Avenue from University Boulevard to Second Street will be closed to allow the contractor to remove sidewalk, install electrical work and place pole foundations. The closure includes the intersections of Park Avenue and University Boulevard and Park Avenue and Second Street.

• Business and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
• Flaggers will be on site to assist with right turn movements from northbound Park Avenue to University Boulevard (Old Main).
• Park Avenue will be completely open to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists over the Thanksgiving Holiday beginning Wednesday evening, November 21, 2012 through 6 a.m., Monday, November 26, 2012.

On Monday, November 26, 2012, at 6 a.m. Park Avenue from University Boulevard to Second Street will be closed to allow the contractor to complete the removal of the existing asphalt, conduct underground utility work, place rail and install the Overhead Contact System. This closure is expected to be in place through February 2013.

For more information, please visit www.tucsonstreetcar.com to subscribe to email updates, visit the project Facebook page, and sign up for Twitter, or call the information line at (520) 624 -5656.

The Tucson Sun Link Tucson Streetcar is a project of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and part of the voter-approved, $2.1 billion RTA plan that will be implemented through 2026. Details about the full plan are available at www.RTAmobility.com. The Sun Link project is co-managed by the City of Tucson and the RTA.