City to conduct $2.1M in Central Street improvements

The city of Springfield next week is slated to start $2.1 million in Central Street Corridor improvements.

D&E Plumbing & Heating is serving as general contractor for the Phase II plans beginning July 12, according to a news release.  

“Central Street functions as a vital east-west connector street in our roadway network and links the community to government services, the Midtown Library Branch, City Utilities, Central High School, Drury and OTC,” said Nick Edelman, Public Works project manager, in the release.  

Funded through the city's eighth-cent transportation sales tax, Phase II calls on intersection and signal improvements, underground stormwater infrastructure upgrades and the installation of a rain garden. Gas, water, electrical and fiber utilities also will be updated.  

Completion is expected by year's end.

The $2.2 million first phase of the Central Street Corridor improvement project was conducted in 2016, said city spokesperson Kristen Milam. Phase I connected Central Street to Pythian Street and redirected traffic around the Ozarks Technical Community College campus, she said, noting a new roundabout at Sherman Avenue also was part of the work.