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Athens Accepts Bid For Richland South Construction
< < Back to athens-accepts-bid-richland-south-constructionDrivers, pedestrians, and bikers will be seeing changes to Richland Avenue from now until next year.
The $4 million construction project was originally planned to be completed in the summer but construction never started because the city failed to get bids during the initial bidding process. The city recieved bids from two contractors but choose Shelly & Sands on August 26.
According to the city of Athens Engineering and Public Works Department, the project's purpose is to decrease accidents on the roadway.
"We looked at records and there weren't a lot of accidents on the road, but their were a lot of near misses," Stone said.
The city's website describes the project as a focus "on rehabilitating an existing, aging arterial using modern safety methods and the “Complete Streets” concept." The "Complete Streets" concept focuses on keeping the street safe for all travelers, no matter what the vehicle. Work will take place between Canterbury Drive and Dairy Lane and include dedicated bike plans, sidewalks, and drainage improvements.
"There was a lot of planning for this project," Stone said. "This street is very narrow and any and every utility you can find is under there. The preliminary work of the roadway is already in effect to reroute gas and water lines. The road goes to one lane after Dairy Road for a short stretch.
The work is scheduled to be finished by August of 2015.