Tallahassee, Florida - August 19, 2011 -

As the first phase of the Gaines Street reconstruction project nears completion, crews will begin applying the final layer of asphalt Saturday morning, Aug. 20. One lane of one-way westbound traffic will be maintained while paving crews work from Monroe Street west to Macomb Street. Motorists on Gaines Street, however, may expect temporary delays when crews switch traffic lanes to continue paving operations.

In addition, the intersections of all cross streets (Adams, Duval, Bronough, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Boulevard and Macomb) and Gaines will be paved. Temporary brief closures of these intersections will occur during paving operations. Flagmen will be on scene to direct traffic. Paving will begin Saturday at 7 a.m. and weather permitting, all paving work should be completed by Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Citizens will be able to access Gaines Street businesses throughout paving operations. City officials are notifying Gaines business owners of the paving work and will continue to assist businesses with patron access.

The first phase of the Gaines Street project will be completed next week, and the City is celebrating with a Gaines Street Block Party from 6-10 pm on Friday, Aug. 26.