UPDATE, June 8: Work on Reese Avenue just east of Gay Street is still underway due to utility conflicts in the area. Reese Avenue is expected to remain closed to through traffic through Friday, June 17. Residences in the area can be accessed by taking Wrights Mill Road to Reese Avenue.

UPDATE, May 26: Work to install a storm pipe on Reese Avenue has been delayed because of rain this week. Reese Avenue is still closed to through traffic and is expected to reopen by the end of the day tomorrow, May 27. Gay Street will be closed to through traffic at the intersection of Reese Avenue beginning Tuesday, May 31, through Thursday, June 2. Motorists are advised to use caution in the area and to take alternate routes to avoid delays.

May 20: AUBURN, Ala.- Work is expected to begin Monday, May 23, on improvements to the intersections of College Street/Samford Avenue, Samford Avenue/Gay Street and College Street/Miller Avenue.

The first step of the project will be the installation of a storm pipe on Reese Avenue between Gay Street and Wrights Mill Road. Reese Avenue will be closed to through traffic Monday through Wednesday, May 23-25. Once that section is complete, the contractor will install storm pipe on Reese Avenue crossing Gay Street Wednesday through Friday, May 25-27. Gay Street will be closed to through traffic at the intersection of Reese Avenue during this time.

Work is expected to take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. Detour signs and other traffic control measures will be in place to help motorists navigate the closures. As always, unforeseen circumstances and weather impacts could cause delays. Motorists are advised to use caution in the area and to take alternate routes to avoid delays.

The entire project will include widening College Street to include two southbound lanes at the intersection of Samford Avenue along with widening at other intersections to add turn lanes. It will also include improved sidewalks connecting pedestrians to the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, decorative pedestrian lighting and decorative crosswalks at the College/Miller and College/Samford intersections.

New traffic signals will be installed at College/Samford, College/Miller and Samford/Gay, which will include dedicated left-turn arrows. Landscaped medians and a mid-block pedestrian crossing will be constructed between Samford and Miller avenues, and drainage improvements will be made throughout the area.

Additional work is expected to take place over the next year to help improve traffic flow in the area. Traffic impacts will be announced as they are planned. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2023.