Construction is underway again on the Main Street re-traffic project on Main Street between Mohawk and Chippewa streets. The total cost to return two-way traffic to this stretch of downtown is about $21 million.
This project will include the installation of new curbs, sidewalks, street lighting, traffic signals, on-street parking, light rail station enhancement, and various landscaping improvements which includes trees, planters, benches and the like. Also, this will reopen Mohawk to traffic between Washington and Pearl.
Parking will be provided for 11 cars along E. Mohawk Street, six spots in Roosevelt Plaza, 23 cars along Main Street’s 500 block and 23 cars in the Fountain Plaza block. Removable bollards will be located at the Roosevelt Plaza and Main Street parking spots to close those spots during special events. Signalized arms will be located at the cross streets to block vehicle access to Main Street if necessary.
The clunky Fountain Plaza stations are being replaced with slim-downed modern platforms. The twin arches over Main Street in front of M&T Place have been removed as well and the Fountain Plaza area has a new, more open look. The area around Key Center and the Bank of America Building (joint plaza) is being renovating by the City, to have a consistent public realm along this stretch of Main Street.
The design team for the Main Street work is led by DiDonato Associates. Team members include Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, Foit-Albert Associates, and Parsons Brinckerhoff Engineers. Work is expected to be wrapped up later this year.