BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

The final phase of the $1.8 million 22nd Street Enhancement Project began Monday morning, with the area from 21st Avenue to 23rd Avenue to be done.

The first phase of the project began at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and ended at Lake Avenue. The second phase began at Lake Avenue and will end at 26th Avenue. It is expected to be completed in May 2013.

Project Engineer for the project, Albert P.J. Calloway, said traffic traveling north on 22nd Street will be maintained throughout the project, and southbound traffic on 22nd Street will use the current detoured routes with no changes.

“This phase of the project will include a round-a-bout where the streets merge at 22nd and 21st, and will be constructed in two phases.”

This phase of the project will include vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian mobility improvements that will include the round-a-bout, concrete curbs, sidewalks, a 10-foot multimodal trail, bus stop and shelter improvements, landscaping, irrigation, monument, decorative crosswalks, and pedestrian lighting.

Calloway said the project will be completed by late August 2013, and there will be some inconvenience to residents and businesses in the area. “We will try to keep the noise level down during construction, and the equipment being used for the project will not be intrusive to the community.

“If anyone has a complaint about noise or equipment on their street, call me at (813) 635-3400.”

Verizon warns its customers that some may experience unintended service interruptions during the project. Those customers are advised to call Verizon direct to request service be restored. Verizon will not respond to a city or contractor notification of service interruption.