Drivers encouraged to use Evard, Reed detour

St. Joseph Road, north of the St. Joseph Center Road intersection, will close for up to seven days, depending on weather, later this month as part of the St. Joe Center widening project, for installation of a storm sewer line.

The City'€™s contractor will cut an open trench across St. Joe Road along the north side of St. Joe Center to install a sewer main, instead of the original plan to bore a tunnel for the pipe, based on soil conditions.

The City recommends drivers use the marked detours on Evard and Reed roads to travel around the pipe crossing. The entrances to the Riviera Plaza shopping center and the Doc Ricker'€™s convenience store will remain open. The specific start date for this road closure will be announced before the works begins.

The new storm sewer main will provide improved drainage in this traffic improvement area.

When complete in 2009, St. Joseph Center Road will have two lanes in each direction between Reed and St. Joe roads. The project also adds an additional left-turn lane, a second through lane and a new right-turn lane for eastbound St. Joseph Center Road at the St. Joe Road intersection. Other planned improvements include sidewalks on both sides of the road, curbs and gutters, street lighting and pavement markings.