The second phase of a project to improve Zion Road is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 1.
The improvements are designed to create an improved east-west connection between Highway 265 and College Avenue. The work includes widening the road to make room for a center turn lane, a six-foot sidewalk and a 10-foot bike trail. Also, a mini roundabout is planned at the intersection of Zion and Old Missouri Road. Staff have said about 180 new street trees are set to be planted along both sides of Zion throughout the work area sometime near the end of the project.
The project is part of the 2019 transportation bond program, but has been on the back burner since the previous voter-approved bond in 2006. That program called for a full makeover of Zion from College Avenue to Crossover Road, but the work stopped at Vantage Drive when the money was instead reallocated to fund a series of other higher priority transportation projects around town when bid prices were reduced due to the recession.
Phase 1: Vantage Drive to Park Lake Apartments
The first phase of work that began earlier this year included construction of a new water main, sanitary sewer main, storm drain and work on the roadway widening and realignment from Vantage Drive to Park Lake Apartments.
Phase 2: Park Lake Apartments to Old Missouri Road
Phase two, which is set to begin Nov. 1, will close the road to all traffic between the complex and Old Missouri, however, residents will have access from the west. The second phase of work, which is expected to last through the end of the year, includes continued roadway widening and realignment, and installation of a storm drain and sanitary sewer.
The storm drain being constructed on the south side of the new roadway alignment is within the existing roadway. The work will cause the street to be too narrow to allow vehicles to travel through, but access to the Cornerstone Animal Hospital and construction vehicles to the Sagely Place Subdivision will be maintained.
Phase 3: Intersection of Zion Road and Old Missouri Road
After construction between the complex and Old Missouri is complete, the intersection of Zion and Old Missouri will be closed to allow for the construction of a mini-roundabout, as well as storm drain and sanitary sewer installation.
Phase 4: Old Missouri Road to North Crossover Road
Subsequent phased closures will be necessary from Old Missouri to North Crossover to allow for the completion of the sanitary sewer installation within the middle of the existing roadway. Residents on the side streets off Zion will retain access to their properties for the duration of the closures, and access to businesses will be maintained.
Zion Road Improvement Project
Source: City of Fayetteville
