Recent changes in getting around downtown Ellijay include turning a line of parallel parking spaces on River Street into a no parking zone and temporary barricades put up to protect a newly repaired crosswalk at the intersection of River Street and North Avenue.
The “streetscape” crosswalk had been damaged by a contractor installing a new water line.
“The contractor is now cleaning up and getting ready for a punch list, so hopefully we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” said water authority director Gary McVey.
The barricades, which restrict traffic from entering off River Street, will remain in place to allow for 28-day curing of the new crosswalk.
“It’s going to be another 21 days from last Saturday. It can be walked on, but not driven on right now,” said McVey. Turning parallel parking spaces into a no parking zone, which extends from the North Avenue intersection to North Main Street, was approved by the Ellijay City Council in an effort to improve traffic flow and safety on River Street.
The city had wanted to wait until the water line project was wrapping up before starting the project.
Lettering was painted last week, and thermoplastic striping installed earlier this week on the no parking area, which is ready to go and open to foot traffic, confirmed Mayor Al Hoyle. Signage will be installed at a later date.