FARMINGTON – After months of construction, parts of Main Street in downtown Farmington opened Thursday with a new look.
The section of Main Street from Court Avenue to Orchard Avenue was part of the first phase of the city of the city’s Complete Streets Project. The Farmington Main Street Program is part of a larger downtown revitalization with the national Main Street America Program.
Phase 1, started in early January, focused on expanding the sidewalks along Main Street from Court Avenue to Orchard Avenue.
A roundabout is now at the center of the Orchard Avenue and Main Street intersection. Sidewalks were open to pedestrians Thursday, as work crews put the finishing touches on parts of the sidewalks and roundabout features.
The asphalt was laid last week, and traffic signs, decorative street lights and boulders in the roundabout were also installed.
Despite a delay in shipping materials for the street lighting, the project is expected to be completed at the end of 2020, as scheduled.
Upgrades with the Americans with Disabilities Act in mind have also been made, including wider sidewalks, new crosswalks, increased lighting and additional ramps.
The city also plans to add railings, benches, trash and recycling bins, bike racks and landscaping. According to the city’s plan, Wi-Fi and a speaker system will also be installed later in the renovation.
The second phase of construction will run from Allen Avenue to Auburn Avenue. That section of Main Street has been closed since early June. The pavement has been removed and a fence set up to keep people out of the construction area. That phase of the project is scheduled to be finished in November.
Constructions crews are working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and businesses along Main Street remain open.
lweber@durangoherald.com