Construction to Begin on Garrison Avenue

Drivers in downtown Fort Smith can expect delays over the next two weeks. Construction on Garrison Avenue started Thursday night.

The city plans to repave Garrison Avenue from North Second Street all the way to Rogers Avenue.

Crews will pave the eastbound lanes first and then the westbound lanes.

Traffic travelling in the direction under construction will be shut down to one lane while crews are working.

City officials said people will have access to businesses downtown at all times, but parking could be a problem where the construction crews are working.

“It makes me nervous about the parking conditions for our students,” said Kasey Valdivia, owner of Pleasures by Kasey.

Senior Project Engineer Matt Meeker said the road has not been repaved in several years.

Valdivia agreed Garrison Avenue needs some work.

“Anything to improve downtown Fort Smith I’m absolutely for it,” she said.

Valdivia said they will adapt and deal with delays.

“I think as long as they’re aware you know and of course we can always wait you know a few minutes after for classes to start,” she said.

City officials expect the project to take about two weeks.

“Hopefully they’ll just get construction done pretty fast,” said Valdivia.

Meeker said construction crews will grind out about two inches of pavement then replace it.