The city of Collegedale is almost done with roadwork on University Drive, which began the third week of July.
The project started after the city received bids for the roadwork on July 2. The total bid for the project was $480,000, but errors have pushed the cost up to over $500,000.
Collegedale Public Works Director Eric Sines said, “due to issues with the subcontractor who was doing the curb work, the project has been delayed. The curb work had to be redone twice at the expense of the subcontractor.”
Traffic issues while school is in session have also pushed the timeline back considerably.
The University Drive roadwork has been in the planning stages for the past year. The original plan consisted of paving University Drive and a portion of White Oak Drive. Now the city has removed approximately 400 feet of curb in front of the Village Market in order to replace it. Sines said that the city has also partnered with Southern to install a sidewalk and grass strip behind the new curb, connecting the upper sidewalk near Hulsey all the way to Park Lane and up towards the student park.
While the paving itself is complete on University Drive, there is still some work to be done.
“All that’s left is the final thermoplastic paint for the lanes and crosswalks,” Sines said. The projected finish date for the project is September 14.
This project is one of many the school has worked on in conjunction with the city.
Collegedale Mayor Katie Lamb said, “since I have been mayor, I have been on campus talking with the administration about various issues several times. We have good working relationship with Southern.” The greenway is another example of the city and university partnership. Lamb explained that the university helped connect the greenway to campus.
Image credit: Joseph Hyde