Downtown Springfield Road Work Continues

SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield is advising of continued off-site road work in and around downtown Springfield to improve certain roadways, intersections, sidewalks, and traffic signals in advance of the resort opening in September 2018.

Last week, MGM Springfield stood alongside city officials to announce Main Street Refresh, a nearly $7 million combined project to prepare downtown Springfield for 10,000 people a day who will visit the new resort. Working in partnership, MGM Springfield is investing $5.5 million, and the city of Springfield more than $1.4 million in area improvements and enhancements. MGM will oversee work that includes intersection/signal improvements, utility upgrades, roadway reconstruction/paving, and pedestrian/bicycle enhancements (including handicap accessibility).

The road work planned for the weeks of June 19 and 26 is expected at the following streets and intersections: Dwight Street and I-291 off-ramp, Plainfield and Avocado streets, Plainfield Street (between Avocado and West streets), Plainfield and John streets, John Street (between St. George Road and Plainfield Street), and Union Street (between Main Street and East Columbus Avenue).

The nature of work to be performed at the streets and intersections listed above includes reconstruction of sidewalks and curbing, along with installation of wheelchair curb ramps, signal conduits, foundations, and pull boxes.

Additionally, at Union Street only (between Main Street and East Columbus Avenue), full-depth roadway reconstruction is expected to begin. During this work, Union Street will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to East Columbus Avenue. Access to Pride Gas Station, the Colvest Building, and 55 State Street will be maintained at all times. Typical construction hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Also, work is set to begin on Memorial Bridge to remove the concrete median and repave with asphalt.

“We are working hard to make sure every aspect of the community’s and our guest’s experiences will be top-notch,” said newly appointed MGM Springfield General Manager Alex Dixon. “These necessary traffic-flow upgrades will be worth any short-term pain they may cause, since the long-term reward will be the economic benefits a more accessible and welcoming downtown will achieve.”