As dirt continues to pile up and cars face an ever-changing maze of roadblocks, the Central Corridor light-rail project has passed the halfway point, according to spokeswoman Laura Baenen.
Baenen said the project is on schedule and approaching 75 percent completion by the end of the year.
Three stations — Westgate, Robert Street, and Union Depot — are already substantially complete.
By the end of the year, Baenen expects all 18 stations will be substantially complete, the track will be installed, and all roadways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters will be completed.
“After this year, you won’t have all the dirt and noise,” she said. “The other stuff is pretty quiet, tidy work.”
Next year, workers will install the overhead wire to power the trains, and then testing will begin.
“The earth moving, the heavy construction, is to be done this year,” Baenen said.
Road closures
As construction continues, some roadways and sidewalks will reopen and others will close.
Workers will begin installing beams across Interstate 94 on Friday, resulting in closure of the Interstate 35E and I-94 commons area until 5 a.m. July 23. I-35E will be closed between 11th Street and the East 10th St. and North Wacouta St. exits, and I-94 will be closed between Highway 280 and I-35E.
Full closure of East River Parkway under the Washington Avenue Bridge will begin the week of July 23.
The intersection of Harvard Street and Washington Avenue will reopen in late July, but Washington Avenue between Oak Street and University Avenue will remain closed through August.
Lane restriction on eastbound University Avenue between Oak Street and Huron Boulevard began Tuesday and will last for approximately four weeks.
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