Railroad Avenue Improvements Project
The City of Tallahassee began the Railroad Avenue Improvements Project on Nov. 27, 2023. This project aims to enhance safety and mobility options in the area and includes utility, roadway and sidewalk improvements along Railroad Avenue from Railroad Square to Gaines Street. Once underway, the project is anticipated to last roughly 12 months, barring no unforeseen circumstances.
The project will include creating a multi-use trail on the west side of the roadway, installing landscaped medians and new pedestrian crossings, repaving the road, and using roadway design elements that tie FAMU Way and Gaines Street together. Additionally, the majority of the overhead electric lines within the project bounds will be moved underground.
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Construction will take place in phases.
The current phase of construction began the week of January 22, 2024, and requires lane closures only, allowing two-way traffic to flow along Railroad Avenue. Additionally, during this and subsequent phases of construction, it will be necessary to close portions of adjacent streets during the workday. Every effort will be made to maintain access to all properties during construction.
Motorists are reminded to slow down near the work zone and use caution.
During construction, it may also be necessary to temporarily disconnect utility services in the area, such as water and electric, to make the necessary improvements. Advanced notice of any outage will be provided to those impacted, and every effort will be made to minimize the length of the outage.
Work hours will typically be from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. No work should take place on Sundays.
Construction on the project began in December 2023, and its first phase was completed the week of January 1, 2024. It included work to run utility infrastructure under the railroad tracks.
As part of the planning phase for this project, the City hosted an in-person, open house style community meeting on June 9, 2022, at the Residence Inn on Gaines Street. Thank you to everyone who attended to learn more and discuss the project with staff from the City’s Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure department.