- Home
- Departments
- Development Services
- Public Works
- Engineering
- East Cedar Street
East Cedar Street
Please check this page frequently for information and updates on the East Cedar Street reconstruction project. Updates will include details on project phases, planned closures and detours, and other relevant information to help residents navigate the project area. A full set of project plans may be found under the Project Details tab below.
Project Update August 2023
As the East Cedar Street construction project continues, temporary traffic lights are now in place at the East Cedar/Virginia Avenue intersection and traffic flow along Virginia Avenue has been reduced to one lane in each direction. This change is necessary while crews from Baker Construction Services continue to install storm drains, signals, and sidewalks and make other scheduled improvements in this area. Motorists can expect traffic congestion/delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible.
Work to reconstruct the entire 1.2-mile stretch of East Cedar Street from King College Road to 5th Street began in late 2020 with an anticipated completion date of October 2022. About 85 percent of the project has been completed to date, but the relocation of utilities – a necessary first step that impacts all phases of construction – has resulted in significant delays during each step of the project. Numerous utility conflicts were discovered as the project progressed, creating a chain reaction of delays that extended the project past its original completion date. However, major work to move water, sewer, natural gas, electric and telecommunications infrastructures has been completed and the project is on track for completion later this year.
As the final phase of work continues in the areas around Virginia Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, the City of Bristol extends its thanks to those impacted by this ongoing project. We appreciate your patience and ask that you continue to use caution in this area.
This project consist of rebuilding approximately 1.21 miles of East Cedar St from the 5th St intersection to the King College Rd intersection. Key design elements include:
A typical road section consisting of two 12-foot travel lanes and 5-foot wide sidewalks on both sides of the road. Sidewalks will also be provided within the project limits on both sides of the intersecting roads such as Virginia Ave, Kentucky Ave, Pennsylvania Ave, Carolina Ave, Maryland Ave, Georgia Ave, and Florida Ave.
Modification of the 5th St intersection to include appropriate turn lanes and upgrades to the traffic signal. The signal will also be interconnected with the railroad crossing to improve safety at the crossing.
Modification of the Virginia Ave intersection and signal to include additional left turn lanes on Virginia Ave and East Cedar St.
Realignment of the road between Golf St and Halverstadt Dr (entrance to King University) to eliminate the "S" curve.
Changes to the vertical road geometry in certain areas to provide better sight distance. The intersections of Georgia Ave and Kentucky Ave are two of the main areas where this will be improved.
Public Information Meetings
Public meetings were held on October 20 and 27, 2020 where members of the public had an opportunity to hear from the East Cedar St project team. In the video below, City Engineer Jake Chandler, Jeff Mize with CDM Smith, and Kevin Buck with Baker's Construction Services provide an overview of the project.
Click here to view the slides presented at the meetings.
To view more detailed plans of specific portions of the project, please click here.