With the start of the first day of classes brings the end of summer construction in downtown Auburn.
The project's deadline is Monday, Aug. 17. According to Jeff Ramsey, city engineer for the city of Auburn, the project is set to be finished on time.
The construction, which began in May, will bring many changes to Toomer’s Corner, including brick inlay in the crosswalks and a brick inlay tiger paw in the center of the intersection.
“For the most part the project’s going very well,” said Ramsey.
Crews have worked from 6 p.m.- 5 a.m. placing the brick inlay because it is too hot to lay in the heat of the day, but Ramsey said the project has encountered no more complications than any other construction project
The plan for the construction of the corner was revealed earlier this year, and Ramsey said while some changes were made during construction, they're not obvious.
The project is mostly complete, but there some major things to be done, such as include laying bricks, installing traffic signal equipment and asphalt pavement.
The construction zone has been fenced off all summer. The fence had a black covering on it until recently. Ramsey said he has heard of arrests for trespass into the construction zone. He said he is not sure when the fence will be removed.
Ramsey said the construction staff has had monthly meetings with the merchants to give them updates. He said the merchants have been patient, but he said he thinks they will be happy when the construction ends.
David Dorton,public affairs director for the city of Auburn, said the construction is in the final stages and the construction staff has been working to be done by school starting.
One of the perks of the construction has been free parking in downtown Auburn. According to Kevin Cowper, assistant city manager for the city of Auburn, parking downtown will be free until Aug. 17, and the second and third floors of the Gay Street parking deck will close on Aug. 17, or when the streets open.
Cowper said the feedback has been supportive because the corner means a lot to a lot of people.
On Aug. 21 from 6-9 p.m., there will be a Come Home to the Corner event downtown. The event will include live music and merchants will do sidewalk sales. There will also be a poker run, which is a scavenger hunt through downtown Auburn to visit different places.
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