There will be no traffic changes to Highway 33 this week, but project supervisor Jim Sorenson expects traffic to switch back to two different sides of the road as soon as next Thursday.
That doesn’t mean business as usual. Once traffic is in place in the correct lanes, closures will still be needed to complete some work that is not finished, Sorenson said, adding that the traffic should flow in a more normal pattern even with the lane closures.
The work of installing the new traffic signal system and removing the temporary system at Big Lake Road will be going on all week and the intersection will have flashing red lights or four-way stop signs starting Monday and continuing until Thursday or Friday, at which time the permanent system will go into operation.
Most intersections will be open at the end of next week. The entrance to Gillette Avenue across from Wal-Mart has been completed and has been reopened to traffic.
Other major work this week will include:
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Concrete pavement placement at intersections;
Concrete pavement shoulders and turn lanes;
Installation of pavement markings;
Installation of new signs.
Drivers should also remember that access to Armory Road is still closed and the L&M entrance won’t open until utility work is complete.
Other continued traffic disruptions include the southbound Interstate 35 to northbound Highway 33 ramp closure and the the southbound Highway 33 to northbound I-35 ramp closure. The southbound Highway 33 access to the south frontage road (where County Seat Theater’s Encore Performing Arts Center is located) is still closed. Drivers coming from the frontage road can still access southbound I-35 from the frontage road.
Sorenson asked that local drivers continue to use alternate routes to access their favorite businesses during the construction when possible, this will help to minimize traffic delays.
Sorenson still expects the project to be complete by its final deadline in early October.
