Groton Avenue in the city of Cortland. (Photo provided by Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
The Groton Avenue Public Improvement Project in the city of Cortland was initially scheduled to get underway this summer.
Now, according to city department of public works deputy supervisor Bill Lund, G. DeVincentis & Son Construction Co., Inc. (of Binghamton) is looking to start the project at the beginning of September.
DeVincentis & Son Construction Co., Inc. (of Binghamton) is the contractor of the $7.59 million project, which is slated to run from this year to 2025.
Lund noted the project’s contractor will begin with work on the sewer mains, then follow up with water main and storm sewer work. Work this year is expected to wrap up within the fall season, Lund added.
The contractor will decide on whether to start the project where Groton Avenue meets Main Street, or in the location of Otter Creek Place, Lund said. Construction crews will focus on the Groton Avenue stretch between Otter Creek Place and Main Street.
Aside from improvements to the sewer, water and storm sewer systems, the project includes:
- Upgrades to sidewalks and curbing
- Landscaping
- Upgrades to traffic lights and signage
- Full repavement of Groton Avenue
- And more
A detour will be in place during construction. Lund noted the plan, which is subject to change, will direct traffic to Woodruff Street, Madison Street and back up to Homer Avenue.
The detours, Lund said, will be implemented during the day. He added the stretch of Groton Avenue will be closed to traffic during construction hours.
The road will reopen once construction concludes for the day, Lund said, noting contractors will lay down steel plates over any exposed areas.
The Groton Avenue project will run concurrent to the ongoing Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) project on Main Street. The project will also mirror the improvements seen so far on Main Street.
Despite this, Lund noted the impact of the Groton Avenue project will be less than the projects on Main Street.
“(The) Groton Ave. (project) is a much smaller animal,” Lund said.
Lund mentioned further details in regard to the Groton Avenue Public Improvements Project will be provided once it gets underway.
“If you’re not from the area, it might be a challenge,” Lund said. “It will require some patience from people. But once it’s finished, the result will be awesome.”
