Construction on the railroad underpass in Norman is on schedule, despite minor obstacles slowing the progress down, said Shawn O'Leary, public works director.
“So far, so good,” O'Leary said. “We’ve lost some time here or there from the rain, but construction is right on schedule.”
The railroad underpass on Robinson Street, which began last month, has already completed one of the three road closings required for the construction of the underpass. Contractors have not issued exact dates for the closings, though O’Leary said to look out for a second closure on Robinson in the next 30 to 60 days.
There is scheduled to be at least one more road closing on Robinson Street this fall, with a longer road closing on the south side of Robinson and Flood that could go through the end of the year, he said.
Although the construction schedule remains on track, Norman residents are finding the construction aggravating.
“It’ll be nice when it’s done; but until then it’s irritating,” Norman resident Dee Foster said.
With an average of 38 trains crossing per day, the underpass on Robinson will clear one of the busiest streets in Norman carrying 30 thousand cars a day, O’Leary said.
“The underpass will make significant impact in maintaining traffic congestion,” he said. “This is the first and only one to take the train traffic and completely separate it from the street here in Norman.”
Not only will the underpass regulate traffic more efficiently but it also is bringing new sidewalks to Norman.
“There has been a late addition to the north side of Robinson to carry a 10 foot-wide legacy trail from Flood Avenue to Stubbman,” O’Leary said. “Right now, there are no sidewalks on this part of Robinson.”
Originally passed in 2005, the Robinson underpass is expected to be completed in fall 2011.
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your_still_life 1 year, 9 months ago
LEARN TO PROOFREAD, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.