N&O: Downtown streetscape completion delayed again

Today's N&O reported that the Durham downtown streetscape project is delayed -- again. Initially sidewalks had been reported to be complete by April 15 and roadwork in May, but now the entire project is estimated to be complete in June.

More at the N&O's web site.

Comments

[DC]

Why can't they just give us a realistic timeline, like Fall of this year? I'm not an expert, but I really wonder if they can get it all done by June. What's more aggravating, resetting the completion date every month or just saying the finish line is months away?

[mike]

I completely agree. I live downtown and we regulary get 'street closing' scedules for paving etc a few days before they are to take place and they can't even stick to a scedule that only encompasses the next week. The pathetic excuse about the cold is ridiculus b/c it hasn't been cold for months. There is certainly no way they will be done in June. I would prefer honestly. Another thing is if you are downtown during the day and are near the new theater/DV II or West Village II you see hundreds of workers actually working starting at 7am or earlier. In the streetscape part you see maybe 10 people (in the entire loop!!!) standing around starting at around 9 or 10am. Who ever heard of construction crews not starting till 10am? It is absurb how little work goes on in one day. Absurd. Embarrassing!!

[Dave S.]

Mike's comment reminds me of the years it took just to complete work on the widening of the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and Garrett Road. At the same time, private construction crews were expanding the Southpoint interchange off I-40 (Exit 276). The latter was a much larger project, but it was completed seemingly overnight.