Two busy New Albany streets to undergo re-paving in coming weeks

Extensive re-paving work to improve two of New Albany’s busiest streets will start Monday, Nov. 5.

On both streets, the existing pavement will be ground down and removed, “soft” spots will be repaired and new asphalt pavement and striping will be installed.

The entire length of Park Plaza Drive, from Bratton Road to Highway 30, about 1.25 miles, and Central Avenue, from Oak Street to Interstate 22, about half-a-mile, will undergo these extensive repairs.

Both sections of the streets will remain open to restricted traffic while the work is done. Motorists may experience delays when traffic is restricted to a single lane. The re-paving work is expected to last several weeks, depending primarily on the weather.

It is expected that the work on Park Plaza Drive will be started first.

The winning contract bid to perform the work was submitted by APAC Paving Company. The contracted price is $601,000. A half-million dollars ($500,000) is from federal money, administered by the state of Mississippi. The remaining $101,000 will be from City of New Albany funds. APAC is expected to spend about $100,000 for traffic control while the re-paving work is underway.

Although there has been considerable discussion of the need to add a third lane to Park Plaza Drive, funding will not allow that to be done as a part of this project.