Orange Center Boulevard Sanitary Sewer Project

The city's contractor will perform work at night for the Orange Center Boulevard Project. The contractor expects to complete the project in three nights. 

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes for Orange Center Boulevard will be unavailable at night between John Young Parkway and Doby Avenue. Cookman Avenue will have a temporary road closure at night for through-traffic. Residents who live on Cookman Avenue and Doby Avenue will be unable to Access OCB at night. 

The closure is necessary for the installation of a gravity sewer line.

Historically, vitrified clay pipes were commonly used for gravity sewer lines. However, over time the materials traveling through the sewer pipes makes them brittle and is less desirable in urban high-volume areas.  The vitrified clay pipes will be replaced with ductile iron. 

For this project roadway closures and detours will be necessary for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Once the project starts, Orange Center Boulevard's eastbound lanes will be closed in phases for the installation of underground utilities. To maintain access to the area, the westbound lanes will be converted into bi-directional single lane traffic, one lane going westbound and the other going eastbound. 

The city's Public Works Department and Transportation Department are working with Lynx to relocate bus stops in close proximity to project area. Commuters, pedestrians and Lynx passengers will want to prepare for for potential delays that may increase commute times.

Once the project begins, commuters and pedestrians will experience temporary detours and road closures. Neighborhood residents will notice crews and equipment working in the roadway and public right-of-way.

There may be times when a driveway or entrance is temporarily unavailable. The City's contractor will coordinate with homeowners and businesses to make certain access is maintained-restored and assist those with special needs. 

Accommodations will be made, solid waste, recycling, mail and other services will continue uninterrupted. Should an emergency occur, first responders and emergency vehicles will have priority access. 

There is a high probability of continuous project hours. There may be opportunities for night and weekend work throughout the project. Again, adverse weather and unforeseen circumstance may create delays and increase the project's duration. 

Please know, there is potential for an increase in noise during project hours. 

The Transportation Engineering Division is working with OUC to install decorative street lighting on Orange Center Boulevard. This project will improve the attractiveness of the street and nighttime visibility for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Updates:

• Street lighting installation was completed in September 2020 on both sides of Orange Center Boulevard between John Young Parkway and Texas Avenue and on the north side of Orange Center Boulevard immediately west of Tampa Avenue.
• Remaining utility work, including the relocation of power lines and utility poles from the median to the south side of Orange Center Boulevard between John Young Parkway and Texas Avenue, is expected to start in January 2021 and be completed by March 2021. This schedule may change, in coordination with the sanitary sewer project.

Please check back for schedule updates.

Public Works and Cathcart continue to monitor the COVID-19 Pandemic and the reopening of the Orange County Public School System. Although the project will not directly impact nearby Orange Center Elementary School or Jones High School, the project management team will make a considerable effort to communicate updates to both schools and O.C.P.S. when necessary. Parents, students and faculty will want to prepare for potential delays that may increase commute times should schools reopen in the Fall. 

Again, we expect the impact on both Orange Center Elementary and Jones High School to be minimum.