Road work on 29th Ave. scheduled

Work is expected to begin in May on the second phase of reconstruction of 29th Avenue from Southeast Boulevard to Freya Street.

The reconstruction is estimated at about $2.5 million and is being financed as part of a 10-year citywide street improvement program approved by voters in 2004 at a total of $117 million.

The project involves a curb-to-curb rehabilitation, including installation of handicap-accessible sidewalk ramps.

In addition, 36-inch and 12-inch water mains will be replaced in portions of the street.

Also, the project includes traffic-signal modifications at 29th and Regal Street.

Construction is expected to continue through most of July on a 65-day work schedule, city officials said.

Engineers said they recognize that work in the Lincoln Heights business area will become an inconvenience, and they are asking the contractor to work on a six-day-a-week, 10-hour-a-day schedule while in the business area.

Businesses will be able to remain open during construction.

The schedule calls for rebuilding the south half of 29th from Southeast Boulevard to Ray Street initially. The north half of that segment would be done in June.

During those portions of the work, one lane will remain open in each direction with a temporary signal at 29th and Regal.

The intersections at Southeast Boulevard and Ray will remain open.

The final section from Ray to Freya would be finished in July, and traffic during the reconstruction will be detoured onto 37th Avenue.

Bids will be sought beginning March 26.

Last year, the bond program financed reconstruction of 29th from Grand to Southeast boulevards.