Westbound motorists on Cleveland Street can't miss a large sand pile at the East Avenue intersection. The mound of sand blocks the westbound lane and the view of the Cleveland Street Streetscape construction beyond. On the western side of the sand pile is a boring pit, a nearly 20-foot-deep hole where a casing, or large horizontal conduit, emerges from beneath the CSX railroad tracks. When the installation is complete, the casing will carry utility and water lines underneath the tracks on the north side of the intersection. Although westbound traffic at the crossing has been detoured, one eastbound lane remains open. Gibbs & Register crews recently installed a similar casing on the south side of Cleveland Street and are now working on utilities for the north side, including a 12-inch water main that runs between Osceola and Myrtle avenues. One lane of traffic is open in each direction from Osceola Avenue to East Avenue.
As crews continue installation of the large storm drain from Osceola Avenue to the bluff, work is being done to restore the area in preparation for the Jazz Holiday event next week. Cleveland Street from Osceola Avenue to the Harborview Center parking lot entrance will be open to allow public access during the event.
Those seeking the latest information on the Streetscape project are invited to attend Hard Hat meetings at 8 a.m. the last Thursday of each month. The Cleveland Street Café, 615 Cleveland St., will be the site for the Oct. 26 meeting. Free coffee will be offered and breakfast items will be available for sale. Hard Hat meeting details are posted along with other downtown construction information on the city's website at www.myclearwater.com/downtown.
Downtown patrons are reminded that all businesses remain open during Streetscape construction, and the Garden Avenue Garage is offering two hours of free parking. One-hour parking spaces are also available on Osceola Avenue from the Clearwater Main Library to the corner of Cleveland Street.