By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CARRBORO – After nearly four months of closure for construction work, the east block of Weaver Street reopened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday.
The completion of the east block marks the end of only the first of five phases of the yearlong project to replace the street’s collapsing roadbed and the 80-year-old water main beneath it. On Wednesday, the work moved to the west block, closing the street to vehicle traffic from North Greensboro Street to a point between The Red Hen and Provence. Pedestrian access remains open.
Town officials initially expected the first part of the project to be completed by the end of May, but weather and other factors delayed work.
George Seiz, director of Carrboro Public Works, said the work in the west block will be similar to the work in the east block and will progress from east to west, toward Carrboro Town Hall. The water main has already been replaced in the west block.
“The new storm sewer will be put in place, and then the road reconstructed,†he said. “The difference in this block is that we are also removing and replacing the curb and gutter.â€
Seiz said the project is still on its original timeline, and estimates completion by March of next year.
During the construction on the east block, several business owners expressed concern that the project was keeping customers away. Nice Polido, owner of Carrboro Raw, said the project forced the closure of her smoothie and juice bar.
Seiz said that for the next phases, town staff has distributed comment cards to impacted businesses.
“We’re going to make a concerted effort to follow up with the businesses as the construction progresses,†he said.
Baptist Knaven, manager of Provence, said he understood that the project needed to happen but that he was a little concerned about it.
“Since it is the summer and it is kind of quiet around here, if it has to happen, this time is probably as good as any other time,†he said
Knaven said that once the work moves directly in front of Provence, it could have an impact on the restaurant’s outdoor dining.
“The timeframe of course is a big concern,†he said. “The first part of the project has been delayed. I’m afraid that the second part will be a little longer than they anticipate as well.â€