Murphy – Now that downtown Murphy’s traffic circle is complete, work is in progress for a $1.2 million project to construct four small parks at the intersection of Valley River Avenue and Hiwassee, Peachtree and Tennessee streets.
Blairsville, Ga.-based Colwell Construction Co. won the bid for the project, with $1 million coming from state and federal sources, with the town footing the remaining $200,000. The project will include the construction of brick pavers and lighting, landscaping and a community stage.
“We still don’t have a project schedule yet, so all is tentative,” Town Manager Chad Simons said.
“Colwell’s Construction contract gives them 180 days to complete the project, and the clock started on June 16. I believe, if the weather cooperates and we don’t have long lead times with materials, we will be complete well before mid-December. Some of the landscaping work may have to begin early next year if we do experience delays.
“We are hoping for the best as it comes to the weather, but as you know, this year has been very wet so far,” he added.
The multi-faceted project started with the replacement of downtown water lines. A traffic circle was installed to replace traffic signals. Once the pocket parks are complete, the N.C. Department of Transportation will return to repave downtown’s main streets.