The city team highly encourages neighbors who use Columbia Avenue to seek alternate routes in the coming weeks, as crews begin work to replace a water main between Capital Avenue SW and Riverside Drive.
Work begins this coming Monday, July 22. The road will remain open during the entire project, but multiple lane closures will be in place throughout, with crews keeping open one lane of traffic in both directions. Please obey all work zone signs and be alert for lane shifts.
Because the new water main is in the middle of the road, drivers cannot make left turns from the center lane during this project. Those visiting businesses on this section of Columbia should do so from the direction that allows them to make a right turn into the business.
Crews may close driveways immediately next to construction work, at businesses with multiple entry points. When this happens, it will be temporary, and crews will place “BUSINESS ACCESS” signs, notifying visitors where they can enter.
This project also requires construction at the intersections of Columbia with Capital and with Riverside. During intersection work, the travel lanes will change, and no left turns will be allowed. Please obey these changes, for the safety of our workers and fellow drivers.
This project will affect the Battle Creek Transit 2W Columbia-Territorial bus route. The bus will bypass the stops at Pizza Hut, Happy House Gifts, and Tony’s Hong Kong, all on Columbia. The bus will bypass the shelter on Riverside Drive, just north of Columbia. Also during the work, the bus will turn onto Capital SW, then Territorial, instead of continuing down Columbia and onto Riverside. The bus will continue back onto Riverside from Territorial.
The closest bus stop to those on Columbia is at Columbia Avenue and Highland Avenue. The closest stop to the one on Riverside is at Riverside Drive and Territorial Road.
We expect this project to take eight to 10 weeks, weather permitting. The water main has a recent history of breaks, resulting in this project.
We will share any changes or updates as work progresses. We appreciate everyone’s patience; construction in busy areas is never easy, but is important to maintaining our infrastructure in the city.