Luke Taylor: Sidewalk work on Green Street?

Jun. 16—What's going on with the sidewalk construction at intersections on Green Street in Champaign?

The city's 2024 Asphalt Street Improvement Project includes Green Street, John Street, Duncan Road and more.

"As the name would indicate, it's mostly an asphalt project. We go in and mill off old asphalt and put down new asphalt," said David Happ, a civil engineer in the Public Works Department.

But, Happ said, it's a longstanding city policy to address sidewalk and ramp improvements in areas where work is already scheduled.

"Right now, all they're seeing out there is ramp work. That's really just a predecessor for the big project."

Any corner ramps that weren't compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements are being torn out and replaced. A few intersections which had no ramps at all will get new ADA compliant ramps.

Tripping hazards from uneven sidewalks will also be addressed.

Nearby intersections on streets like Healey may also see ramp improvements despite not being on the asphalt improvement route.

John Street saw ramp improvements last year as the city was getting ready for the 2024 asphalt project.

"Somebody long ago made the decision to take care of the ramps while we're already there," Happ said. "If we give people all these new streets and then leave them with the with the sidewalks that end at the curb and that sort of thing, it's not a good look, right?"

The asphalt improvement project is scheduled through November, but Happ expects the actual roadwork to wrap up before the end of the summer, with the time remaining as a buffer to replant any grass in the area.