April 7, 2025

A number of mini-projects with the Sevier Avenue Streetscapes upgrade will continue or be completed in the coming weeks. Plus, a second major contractor joins the project.

Foggy Bottom Street will be closing between Sevier Avenue at Island Home Boulevard and Waterfront Drive. This is at the eastern end of the construction project area, where a traffic roundabout will be built. 

The closure will allow Whaley Construction crews to install storm sewers and make other street improvements. Joining Whaley Construction will be Southern Constructors Inc., tasked with building and installing utility conduit and an electrical duct bank. 

The utility relocation part of the streetscape project is completely City-funded, and Southern Constructors' work makes it possible to relocate electricity and fiber lines from overhead to underground. The relocation makes utility service more reliable, i.e., less prone to storm damage - and removing overhead lines improves the aesthetics of the commercial corridor.

While Foggy Bottom is closed, Suttree Landing Park can be easily accessed from Sevier Avenue by turning north onto Barber, Claude or Dixie streets. Access to all businesses will be maintained continually.

Whaley Construction crews also will be finishing clearing vegetation and grubbing near the railroad tracks. Material is being hauled off the construction site. Once brush pickup is complete, erosion-control silt fencing will be installed.

In addition, Whaley Construction will be completing installation of its Phase 1 traffic control signs. In the near future, both lanes of traffic on  this section of Sevier Avenue to shift slightly to the south. But traffic will still flow both directions, east and west, using two lanes, during Phase 1.