Maple Street closes again. What to know

Diana Groom, Abilene Reporter-News
·2 min read

Road construction has caused another headache for south Abilenians. The Maple Street construction project has closed traffic temporarily starting Friday, disrupting travel routes for the Coyote Run, Sugar Berry and South Lake neighborhoods.

The project has already cost the city nearly $7 million dollars, and it is in phase one of three anticipated phases.

When will this recent closure finish?

Workers pour cement as they rebuild an intersection along Maple St. June 5.
Workers pour cement as they rebuild an intersection along Maple St. June 5.

slated for 180 days...

The Maple Street project originally began on June 26, 2023, according to documents obtained by The Reporter-News through an open records request.

The contract was slated for 180 working days. Due to holidays and wet, rainy weather, the company had only completed 153 days by the end of March, and it is still unknown when this beginning phase of the project will finish.

The intersection of Maple Street & Hardison, however, has recently closed and will be shut from Friday through Tuesday to allow for gas line repairs.

The details of the recent Maple Street closure.
The details of the recent Maple Street closure.

The city of Abilene's official social media urges residents to follow detour routes and use caution in construction areas.

It is unknown if this recent closure will cause a further delay to the project.

The Maple Street project initially cost taxpayers just under $6.84 million, according to the contract signed Jan. 12, 2023, with the city of Abilene.

When council members originally voted in favor of the project at the June 10, 2021, City Council meeting, they decided to pay out over $23.5 million of tax revenue for both the Maple Street and East North 10th project combined.

The remains of a mailbox and a newly installed one June 6 along Maple Street.
The remains of a mailbox and a newly installed one June 6 along Maple Street.

While the city has only paid out a portion of that total number, it is unknown if the costs will continue to rise as predicted by Max Johnson, director of public works.

According to previous Reporter-News coverage, Johnson was not able to give the projected end date of the entire project or the amount of money that the City has gone over for the project.

More on Maple Street delays Maple Street construction project delayed, city doesn't 'know the finish date'

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Maple Street closes again