LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Construction season will be starting early in downtown Lima as phase two of the streetscape improvement project is set to begin.
The project is estimated at 4.3 million dollars with federal, state, and local funding.
Truck detour signs will be going up in early February for Central Avenue between Elm Street and Wayne Street. The contractor will begin installing the new storm sewer during the winter, and in the spring work on new sidewalks, street lighting, crosswalks, and more will begin.
"We're going to put in reverse angle parking so it's easier to park downtown. A lot of the intersections, we're going to upgrade the intersections so they are easier to have crosswalks and access them with pedestrians," said Ian Kohli, engineer for the City of Lima.
The phase 2 project should take most of the year to complete.
Kohli says the phase 2 project should take most of the year to complete. Car traffic will still be able to access businesses on Central Avenue during construction. The project is estimated at 4.3 million dollars with federal, state, and local funding.
Construction Begins for Downtown Streetscape at Central Avenue
January 16, 2025, Press Release from the City of Lima: Lima, Ohio — As Phase 2 of the downtown streetscape improvements begins, Central Ave. (State Route 65) from Elm Street to Wayne Street will be closed to truck traffic beginning on February 3rd, 2025, weather permitting.
Trucks will be detoured onto State Route 309 to Jameson Avenue and routed north on Jameson Avenue to State Route 81. Detoured traffic will go east on State Route 81 to the intersection with Main St., then north on Main St. to the intersection with State Route 65.
Access to local businesses and property along Central Avenue will be maintained a majority of the time during construction.
Once complete, the existing two-lane, one-way traffic will be converted to a one-lane, one-way traffic with a bike lane and angled on-street parking. Sidewalks and crosswalks will be updated, along with improved lighting, landscaping, striping, and signage. The goal of the city’s downtown streetscape initiative is to create attractive, business-friendly corridors and enable safe use and mobility for all users.
