Avenue D sidewalk project enters final phase

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press 

The three-phase downtown revitalization project which began on Jan. 16 of this year is now entering its final section of construction along Avenue D. 

This final phase consists of construction between Main Street and 2nd Street. 

On Friday, the City of Copperas Cove announced some new downtown detours that started yesterday, including the closing of South Main Street where it crosses Avenue D. 

Starting tomorrow, the outside eastbound lane of Avenue D between Main Street and 2nd Street will also be closed. The 100 block of West Avenue D will remain closed to eastbound traffic for a couple more weeks.

Detours around the construction site will be in place for drivers. Motorists heading north on Main Street must either turn east or west onto Avenue E. Motorists heading south on Main Street must either turn east or west on Avenue D. Lastly, motorists traveling west on Avenue D will not be permitted to turn left onto Main Street.

“We encourage the public, to include both pedestrians and motorists, to use caution while traveling in and around the designated construction site,” Kevin Keller, the city’s Public Information Officer, said in the press release.  

Any questions or concerns should be directed to Kevin Keller at kkeller@copperascovetx.gov or (254)547-4221.

The entire project has included replacing older sidewalks and adding ADA accessible ramps. Improvements also include drainage upgrades in the downtown area and is scheduled to be completed by the end of August. After construction is complete, Avenue D will be open to both eastbound and westbound traffic. 

The nearly $1,000,000 project funding comes from a total of four sources, the majority from the Texas Department of Transportation in the amount of $700,479. Those TxDOT grants are a combination of Category-9, Category-7, and Category-3 grant funding. The City of Copperas Cove is spending $227,252 of tax-supported funds on the project, with the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation contributing $82,361.90. The city’s Drainage Fund is spending $67,535 on the project.