The renovation of two blocks of Pine Street near The Medical Center of Central Georgia will begin when a bidder is chosen soon, nearly 10 months after local officials announced a federal grant would pay for much of the work.
The Pine Street Enhancement Project will cover a quarter-mile of streetscape improvements, including road resurfacing, concrete sidewalks with curbs and gutters, decorative concrete features, new lighting, landscaping and irrigation, according to the official project bid announcement.
The Medical Center began taking bids in the last week of April. Bidding was originally due to close Thursday, but that has been extended by one week while architects provide further details, said Jeremy Ray, construction manager for the Medical Center.
In July 2011, local officials announced a $400,000 federal transportation grant had been awarded for the work, in addition to an earlier $300,000 federal grant and $160,000 in matching money from the Medical Center. Both grants were funneled through the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The work includes a raised and decorative intersection with New Street, and the improvements also will cover part of New Street as it goes toward Forsyth Street from the hospitals main entrance, according to the master plan.
Landscape architect Wimberly Treadwell has said traffic will remain two-way on Pine Street, but on-street parking will be removed, replaced in part by loading zones. Sidewalks will be brought into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, a crucial requirement next to a hospital, she said.
A bicycle lane also is expected. Mayor Robert Reichert said last year that proximity to Mercer University and the College Hill Corridor meant bicycles needed access, too.
Once a bidder is selected, construction is likely to take six to eight months, Ray said. Contractors are being asked to provide a work schedule along with their prices, he said.
Ray was unwilling to discuss the estimated project cost while bidding is still open. But in July, Reichert said projections were for $900,000 to $1 million.
To contact writer Jim Gaines, call 744-4489.
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