The Shadow
Drivers utilizing Jackson Street in Covington will soon be taking an alternate route.
Beginning Monday, March 4, Jackson?Street from Totten Drive to Willis Avenue, will be closed to all vehicle traffic as work continues in that area.
During that time, all traffic will be rerouted along Rayon Drive, to Edgemont Drive, to Carpenter Drive.
It is anticipated the road will be closed for approximately 90 days.
The overall Virginia Department of Transportation project includes roadway, sidewalk and public-utility improvements along a 0.4-mile stretch of Durant Road between Byrd Avenue and Thacker Avenue.
A new sidewalk will improve pedestrian access between the Rayon Terrace neighborhood and shopping areas on Thacker Avenue.
The project will also cut back the rock slope along Durant Road and install a safety fence next to the new sidewalk.
During the upcoming 90-day closure period, the rock bluff along Durant Road will be cut back and a safety fence will be installed; both are designed to help eliminate future rock fall hazards.
Other improvements include guardrail replacement, construction of a closed stormwater drainage system, and new water and sanitary sewer lines.
Currently, Durant Road has an average traffic count of 4,822 vehicles a day.
VDOT projects traffic volume in the year 2029 will increase to 5,075 vehicles per day.
The estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million, which includes $570,000 for preliminary engineering, $330,000 for right of way acquisition and $1.6 million for construction.
The addition of curb and gutter with sidewalk and a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Thacker Avenue will provide safer pedestrian access between the community of Rayon Terrace and the shopping center along Thacker Ave.
These improvements will also help improve safety for pedestrians and for vehicular traffic.
The construction contract was awarded to Hammond-Mitchell Inc. of Covington.
The estimated completion date of the project is late summer.
