A construction project will prompt the closure of a major street in the Salina Downtown area.

According to the City of Salina, construction work will soon begin on the replacement of Iron Avenue from Front Street to Delaware Avenue.

The first phase of the project includes all improvements from Penn Avenue to Ohio Street, a distance of three city blocks.

On Tuesday, Pavers, Inc. of Salina will begin signing a detour to divert Iron Avenue traffic two blocks north to Ash Street. Once the detour is in place, Iron Avenue will be closed to traffic from Penn Avenue to Ohio Street, and closed to through traffic from Oakdale Avenue to Penn Avenue, a distance of one city block. The entirety of the detour route will be: Oakdale Avenue from Iron Avenue to Ash Street; Ash Street from Oakdale Avenue to Ohio Street; and Ohio Street from Ash Street to Iron Avenue.

Closing the work zone to traffic and detouring traffic was chosen for a number of reasons. Ash Street is capable of handling Iron Avenue traffic and is just two blocks to the north, resulting in an additional travel distance of four city blocks. The existing asphalt over concrete and brick pavement on Iron Avenue is being replaced with concrete pavement, which requires less future maintenance but requires initial idle time to cure and develop strength. Construction proceeds faster when contractors do not have to worry about nearby traffic. Finally, alleys and side streets provide access to nearly all properties within the work zone.

The Phase 1 closure is anticipated to be in place for four months until the end of September. Unusual weather and other unforeseen circumstances may require the extension of the closure.

Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes and allow extra time to get to their destinations.