Major work being done on Harlem Street will bring some changes for residents in the area for the foreseeable future.
Harlem Street, from Hwy 80 and Beech Street, was closed to traffic beginning Saturday. The closure is in connection with the kickoff of the Harlem Street Drainage Project.
City officials say the project will be completed in three phases: (1) Hwy 80 to Beech Street; (2) Beech Street to entrance of Tallulah Estates and (3) Entrance of Tallulah Estates to Gayle Street.
Mayor Charles Finlayson said that the project will start near the first of February, after all permits have been obtained
“This project has been a long time coming,” Finlayson said. “We are just happy that the re-design has been approved and it looks like we should be starting very soon.”
The original plan called for the drainage to run through property owned by a private property owner. Finlayson said that a part of the delay has been having to re-design the project.
“Now culverts will be placed underground up the middle of Harlem Street. Culverts will also be placed underneath Hwy 80 so that drainage can run off into Brushy Bayou,” he said.
The project is funded by federal funds through FEMA.
Finlayson said that, as the Harlem Street closes at various points throughout the project, the City will alert the public through use of the Madison Journal, social media and the City’s website, www.cityoftallulah.org.
