7-23-26 Updates

Water Street Transformation Project:  All phases of the sidewalks have been completed except the 700 block of East Main Street. This work is expected to be completed July 27-31 and may involve the closure of that section of Main Street.  All lighting, electrical work, and amenities such as bike racks will be replaced the last week of July and the first week of August.

Waterfront Improvements: Harbor Towns: All work has been completed except the installation of the water & electric pedestals for the boaters. 

Water Street Road Diet Project:  As the sidewalk project closes out, the N.C. Department of Transportation will soon begin the Water Street Road Diet and repaving project with their contractor Barnhill Contracting Company. During the first phase of the work, Water Street will be completely closed to vehicle traffic from Main Street to Ehringhaus Street for approximately three days. The closure dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. The project is anticipated to begin the week of July 27th? Or August 3rd? (Should know with more certainty July 23 or 24, so change dates when we hear back from NCDOT.) This will allow the contractor to complete the milling, paving, and re-striping more quickly (and safely) than would be possible otherwise.

IMPORTANT ACCESS INFORMATION

• Main Street will remain open.

• Water Street north of Main Street will remain open (Elizabeth St. to Main St.)

• Sidewalks will remain open in most areas, allowing pedestrians access to downtown businesses and residences in that area.

• A temporary sidewalk closure may be necessary near Mariners’ Wharf Park while work is performed at the parking-lot entrance.

• The Mariners’ Wharf Park parking lot will NOT be accessible during this phase of the project.

• The City’s municipal parking lot WILL remain open. It can be reached from Church St, Road St. (via Grice) and Ehringhaus St. (via McMorrine).

Downtown businesses will remain open. Please continue supporting the downtown businesses!

When Water Street reopens, drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern in the northbound lanes near Mariners’ Wharf Park and in the southbound lanes. Additional on-street parking will be added near the ECPC Senior Center and the Museum of the Albemarle. Push button flashing crosswalk signage will be added at the Colonial Street/Water Street intersection and at the Fearing Street/Water Street intersection. There will be added Speed Limit signs posted, and directional arrows will be updated. Lanes in the block of 100 S. Water Street may be narrower due to the new curbing and sidewalks, so larger vehicles are encouraged to choose an alternate route.

Citizens are reminded that the speed limit on Water Street from Elizabeth Street to Shepard Street is 20 miles per hour. In addition,“ No through trucks” are permitted on State Road 1164 between Ehringhaus Street and Asbury Drive, also known as portions of Water Street, Southern Avenue, Parkview Drive and River Road (TRUCK shall mean any motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, including “truck tractors,” “road tractors,” “trailers,” “semi-trailer,” “pole trailers,” and “special mobile equipment.”). Speed limits and truck restrictions will be enforced for safety purposes.

 

After the downtown phase is completed, milling and repaving will continue south from Ehringhaus Street along Water Street and Southern Avenue toward Rivershore Road. Additional information will be shared before work begins in those areas.

 

Thank you to everyone for your continued patience. Construction impacts are difficult, but these projects represent a significant investment in the appearance, function and long-term vitality of Water Street and downtown.

​

11-17-25 Updates

Water Street Transformation Project: The first and second sections of Phase 1 sidewalk have been completed, and Phase 4 has been completed (except for the brick pavers). Brick paver installation for both sections is scheduled to be completed the week of November 17th. 

The timeline for the project has been changed and the order of the Phases has changed:  Start: June 30, 2025  End: February 24, 2026*​

​***There will be a work stoppage from November 18 through December 29 so as not to interfere with the holiday shopping and experience season for the retail businesses and events on Water Street.

​

Phase 2: December 29* - January 22* – East side of Water St. from Fearing to Main St. and short section of Main St. to condo entrance (near Mariners’ Wharf Park and former Rochelle Cleaners). *Also one drive at the Waterworks building that was purposely delayed.

​

Phase 3: January 12* – February 24* – West side of Water St. from Fearing to E Main (Singer Sewing, Harmon Law, Dockside Aesthetics, Cypress Creek Grill, Water & Main Décor, Roots on the River Hair Salon, The Kraken Coffeehouse.)

​*indicates a change in schedule

​​

Waterfront Improvements: Harbor Towns: 

​Phase 3 Waterfront Park - (Over-water) -- *mid-November start - March 2026

Work on the platform pier and addition of pilings to begin week of November 17. Estimated to be completed by first of March. (There may be some noise and vibrations associated with installation of the pilings.)  The repair of the Waterfront Park boat ramp will begin immediately after.  Some parking lot closures near the boat ramp may be necessary. ​

​

Phase 4 Mariners' Wharf Park (Over-water) -- *December 8 - January 30, 2026

Boater improvements/amenities (installation of electric/water pedestals, railing replacement) to start December 8 through end of January. Pilings for addition of 2 larger boat dockage to start middle of January, 2026.  This work involves trenching through Mariners’ Wharf Park and across the existing brick walkway. This will require the closure of one side of the parking lot and the closure of the walkways from just south of the pump station to the pavilion area.