A decision is expected by the end of April as to when utilities construction will begin impacting traffic on Fort Hunt Road and Huntington Avenue where those two intersect with Route 1.
That was the latest word from John R. Undeland, director, Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project. "The actual construction may take effect in late June," he said.
The area in question is the short stretch of Huntington Avenue which connects Route 1 with Fort Hunt Road and that section of Fort Hunt Road from the intersection with Huntington Avenue to Route 1. Each will be closed at separate times to replace utilities impacted by the bridge project, according to Undeland.
"We probably won't start until after school is out," Undeland explained. "There are a lot of utilities to be moved."
There has been a debate as to whether to close each section completely so that the work can be done more expeditiously or to leave them open and reduce traffic to one lane in the construction area. The latter would elongate the project, Undeland pointed out.
"When it does go forward, construction will last about a month if we take the faster approach of closing each section while work is progressing," he acknowledged. "Either way it has to be done."
THE PROJECT circulated a petition to motorists who pass through that area seeking their preference between the two options, complete closing of each stretch or keeping them open and reducing traffic to one lane. "The response came back 50/50," Undeland revealed.
If the full closing option is initiated, motorists traveling north on Route 1 wishing to enter Fort Hunt Road would come to the traffic signal at Fort Hunt and Route 1 and make a hard right onto Fort Hunt Road. Presently, most turn right onto Huntington Avenue's extension, approximately two blocks in length, then turn right again onto Fort Hunt Road.
For those coming south on Route 1, when the stretch of Fort Hunt Road between Huntington Avenue and Route 1 is closed, they would enter the present jug handle turning area, proceed straight to the intersection with the main Huntington Avenue, make a hard left, proceed across Route 1 onto the Huntington Avenue extension and then turn right onto Fort Hunt Road.
"The real advantage to the full closing, in segments, is that the work can be completed much faster," Undeland assured. It is all part of the new Route 1 interchange element of the bridge project.