A 2,000-foot stretch of Old Lemay Ferry Road from the intersection of East Four Ridge and Frisco Hill roads to Regency Woods Place in Imperial is expected to remain fully closed until Tuesday, Sept. 2.
The closure began on May 27 to allow for construction crews to make improvements to Old Lemay Ferry, including softening a sharp curve just north of Frisco Hill Road, adding 4-foot-wide shoulders and pouring high-friction pavement.
The improvements were expected to be finished by Tuesday, Aug. 19, one day before Fox C-6 School District classes resume on Aug. 20, but crews encountered unexpected delays, said Jason Jonas, director of the Jefferson County Public Works Department.
“The ongoing reconstruction of Old Lemay Ferry Road has encountered unforeseen utility conflicts, requiring an extended closure of the roadway between Frisco Hill Road and approximately 2,000 feet to the north,” Jonas said in an Aug. 6 written statement. “This section will remain closed until the conflicts with the gas main, water main and electric poles can be mitigated, after which road widening and resurfacing work can begin.”
The safety improvement project will cost $2,473,981.12, with a federal grant covering 80 percent, or $1,979,184.90, and the county covering 20 percent, or $494,796.24, with part of its share of a countywide 1/2-cent sales tax for road and bridge improvements, according to the Public Works Department.
Above and Below Contracting of Imperial was hired to complete the work and was the lowest of five bidders for the project.
“The Jefferson County Department of Public Works is actively coordinating with the contractor, Above & Below, and our utility partners to expedite the necessary design and construction efforts,” Jonas said. “These improvements are essential to ensure the safe and efficient reopening of the roadway.”
Gary Cross, the Fox district’s director of transportation, said Old Lemay Ferry Road is a major thoroughfare for buses in the southern end of the district, with about 25 buses normally traveling the road each day.
“We will have to reroute buses around the closed section of road,” Cross said. “Jefferson County works very well with us, and they are as accommodating as possible. I do not believe (the closure) will cause buses to be late for school. However, it will cause students to have longer bus rides, and in many circumstances, it will cause their bus stop times to be earlier in the morning and later to get home in the afternoon than normal.”
Jonas said he anticipates the road to reopen to two-way traffic by Sept. 2, but crews will still be on site to complete the rest of the project, he said.
“We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we work to complete these critical infrastructure upgrades,” Jonas said.