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East Colvin Street Paving Project Comstock Avenue to City Line

Announcement

City Engineering to Accept Public Input on East Colvin Street Paving Project between Comstock Avenue and City Line (near Nottingham Road) until June 27, 2023.

Project typePavement Rehabilitation, Pedestrian & Bike Safety Improvements
Project value+/- $5,000,000
Project scheduleBegin Construction in Spring of 2025
Completion DateDecember 01, 2025

Introduction

The City of Syracuse is progressing a pavement rehabilitation project along East Colvin Street, between Comstock Avenue and the City Line (near Nottingham Road). Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2025. This project is the second of two projects planned by the city to improve the mobility and safety of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic along East Colvin Street.

This segment of East Colvin Street is an east-west minor arterial connecting the south and east sides of Syracuse, providing access to Syracuse University’s South Campus student housing area, athletic complex, and student/staff commuter parking lots.

Existing Conditions

The existing pavement on East Colvin Street is showing signs of aging and distress due to the prevalence of heavy traffic and vehicular loadings. Over time, this usage has caused the asphalt pavement to develop surface cracking and wheel-path rutting. In addition, prior utility repairs have cut the pavement in numerous locations – many of which have not been properly restored. Some sections of the existing granite curbing are damaged, misaligned, or lacking proper reveal height and some drainage structures require repairs.

This section of East Colvin Street has sidewalks along both sides of the street, including as asphalt multi-use trail on the west end. Some sidewalk sections are in generally good condition, while other sections are in poor condition, exhibiting non-compliant features such as heaving concrete slabs, unacceptable grades, and excessive ponding. Many of the existing curb ramps do not meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for accessibility. The existing traffic signals are outdated, lacking proper pedestrian equipment.

Project Objectives

The city has initiated this project to correct these deficiencies and provide a safe and maintainable transportation corridor, while also providing a long-lasting and cost-effective pavement system.

The primary objectives of this project are to:

Correct identified pavement deficiencies that will extend the useful life of the highway and maintain it in a structurally sound condition using cost effective pavement treatments which provide low life cycle costs.
Improve geometric elements and incorporate appropriate design features to safely accommodate bicycle and pedestrian access.
Replace sidewalks in poor condition and bring all curb ramps up to current ADA requirements.
Replace or reset deficient curbing and reconstruct driveway aprons where needed.
Provide needed repairs to existing drainage structures.
Replace outdated traffic signal equipment.

Preliminary Project Design

East Colvin Street will receive a “2R” type pavement rehabilitation. This consists of rehabilitating East Colvin Street by milling the existing pavement and installing a 3 1/2″ thick asphalt paving overlay. Nominal lengths of intersecting side streets will also be resurfaced. Severely damaged areas of pavement will receive full depth repairs. Deteriorated sections of curbing will be replaced.

The project also includes alignment improvements to the East Colvin Street / Skytop Road intersection to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists. Eliminating excess pavement and shortening the crosswalks will provide a safer and more efficient intersection.

Pedestrian accommodations will be upgraded to meet current ADA standards. Distressed sidewalk sections will be replaced, and sidewalk curb ramps will be upgraded to include new embedded detectable warning units. Crosswalks will include standard high-visibility crosswalk markings and pedestrian signs.

Deteriorated drainage structures will be cleaned and repaired or replaced as needed. Manhole and drainage structure rims will be adjusted to finished grade. Replacement pavement markings and signage will be installed.

Maintaining Access During Construction

All construction operations will occur during daylight hours. Two-way traffic will be maintained, except for occasional short-term single lane traffic with flagger control during some specific construction operations. Where a sidewalk is closed for reconstruction, pedestrians will be routed to the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. Traffic access to Syracuse University, businesses, and residences will be maintained at all times and efforts will be made to keep inconvenience to the public at a minimum.

Property Impacts

There is no acquisition of property necessary for this project. All improvements will be constructed within the public highway right-of-way. Releases for repairing driveway and sidewalk connections to abutting properties will be requested from owners before the beginning of the construction.

Anticipated Costs

The total project cost, including design engineering, construction, and construction inspection/administration, is anticipated to be approximately $5 million. This project is 80% federally funded and 20% state and city funded.