The Town of Wake Forest has begun the North Main Street Sidewalk Replacement and Streetlight Installation Project. Work is scheduled to take place weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from now through early June.
As part of the project the town will replace 16 existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures along North Main with approximately 44 Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures. Known as Post Top Acorn fixtures, the new light posts will be mounted 18-feet high.
The new fixtures feature a Type III lighting pattern to help direct light onto the street while reducing spill light to adjoining properties.
The new street lighting system will cost less than $325,000 to implement and will provide a superior quality of street lighting.
Work is scheduled to begin along the east side of North Main Street at North Avenue and extend north to East Cedar Avenue. Crews will then cross North Main and beginning at West Oak Avenue proceed south to North Avenue.
The project’s initial phase will include the trimming of tree limbs and branches that may potentially interfere with equipment and the new light posts. Conflicts with trees are expected to be minimal, however Urban Forestry Coordinator Jennifer Rall has identified the appropriate trimming procedures for each tree and identified the best candidates for removal. Trees scheduled for removal have been marked with red paint.
Branches and tree limbs on private property that extend into the public right of way will require trimming, but crews will make every effort to notify property owners in advance.
The first phase of the project will also include the removal of sidewalk and driveway aprons from North Avenue to Pine Avenue.
The installation of the new streetlights will comprise the project’s second phase. Crews will space the new streetlights approximately 125 feet apart in the public right of way between the sidewalks and the streets. Crews are utilizing red stakes and red markings on the sidewalk and curb to identify the approximate location of streetlights. The stakes situated behind the sidewalks are for surveying purposes and should not be disturbed.
Temporary and minor traffic shifts are expected throughout the duration of the project. Weather permitting, the initiative will be completed in June.
Signs will be posted to alert drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians about the work area. Although North Main Street is expected to remain open throughout most of the project, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and seek an alternate route.
Motorists should also avoid parking along North Main Street in the affected work areas.
For more information about the North Main Street Sidewalk Replacement and Streetlight Installation Project, contact Public Works & Utilities Director Mike Barton at 919-435-9571 or mbarton@wakeforestnc.gov.
One Response
At last, at last, at long last. N. Main is one of the most popular walking areas in town, and it has been long under-lit. So long as the new lights increase the illumination of the sidewalks without spillage into bedroom windows, we will all benefit.
Thanks to Barton’s street warriors for their work. Be careful of the tree roots. Carry on!