The City of Russellville will begin work on Monday, Oct. 3, to transform East O Street (Highway 124) near the Arkansas Tech University campus in Russellville into a complete street with sidewalks and bicycle lanes in order to provide greater safety for students and other citizens.
Other improvements will include a turn lane for vehicular traffic and enhanced lighting.
Crews will begin setting up closure signs and preparing fencing during the week of Oct. 3-7. The portion of East O Street from North Greenwich Avenue to North Arkansas Avenue will remain open during that time frame.
That section of East O Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning Monday, Oct. 10. It is anticipated that the project will require approximately four months to complete.
Those accustomed to accessing campus by vehicle from the east at the intersection of East O Street and North Arkansas Avenue will need to find an alternate route of travel beginning Oct. 10 and continuing through the completion of the project.
There will be space allocated for students and other citizens to walk on the south side of East O Street for the duration of the project. This will allow for pedestrian traffic to and from Vista Place student apartments, other housing in that area and those needing to access the Campus Recreation Fields on foot.
Pedestrians are advised that they will be walking near a construction zone and are encouraged to use great care when walking along East O Street.
Students who access the Campus Recreation Fields by vehicle will continue to be able to do so. However, the only way to do so will be at the intersection of North Detroit Avenue and East O Street. This may be accomplished by turning from North Arkansas Avenue to East N Street (across the street from Caraway Residence Hall) and continuing east before turning left on North Detroit Avenue. Vehicular traffic may then continue traveling north on North Detroit Avenue and enter the Campus Recreation Fields parking lot from North Detroit Avenue.
Students who park in the Campus Recreation Fields overflow lot will be able to access that lot by turning from North Arkansas Avenue to East N Street and continuing east before turning left on North Boston Avenue and accessing the parking lot (just south of Feltner’s Whatta-Burger). From there, students will have access to walk from the parking lot to the Campus Recreation Fields.
