AKRON, Ohio - The city will begin construction on the $27 million Main Street Promenade Project, following the July Fourth celebration.

Phase one of the work will begin Monday, July 9, closing all southbound lanes of Main Street, from East Market Street to University Avenue, the city reported in a news release. Northbound lanes will remain open. Travelers can take South High Street as a detour, to get to Mill or Bowery streets, which will remain open through Main Street.

Improvements to Main Street will be ongoing for two years. The city was awarded two federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants: $5 million in 2016 and $8 million in 2018. An additional $7.5 million in Federal Bridge funds was awarded in 2017 to enable the city to replace the State Street Bridge, which runs between Water Street and Main Street.

The Main Street Promenade will extend 1.4 miles, from Ohio 59/Perkins Street south through the heart of downtown to Exchange Street.

The project will include a green corridor and green infrastructure on Main Street, with street and sidewalk repairs, new on-street parking and dedicated bike lanes. The city also will add transit and traffic enhancements, a roundabout and new signage.

The Main Street Promenade Project team will host a public meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, in Cascade Plaza, 1 Cascade Plaza on Main Street. City officials will be available to discuss the improvements to Main Street as well as street access in downtown while the project is underway.

The city is planning a formal groundbreaking ceremony for late August.

For details about the Main Street Promenade Project, visit the city's DriveAkron website, call 330-375-2501 or send an email.

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