City of Columbus

Mayor Coleman and City Councilmember Hardin Joined By Neighborhood Leaders To Celebrate Completion of Joyce Avenue, Phase 2, Roadway Improvements

Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Councilmember Shannon G. Hardin and neighborhood representatives today celebrated the completion of the Joyce Avenue Improvements Project, Phase 2.  The project reconstructed sections of Joyce Avenue and East 17^th Avenue and added sidewalks, a shared use path and new storm sewers to increase safety and reduce roadway flooding.   The $12 million Phase 2 is part of the overall three-phase, $28.2 million Joyce Avenue project.

“We have invested in Joyce Avenue and East 17^th Avenue to make both streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Mayor Coleman.  “Families in the neighborhood now have a safer place to walk and ride bikes together.”

The project reconstructed Joyce Avenue between East 12^th Avenue and immediately north of East 17^th Avenue, including widening to allow for a center turn lane, and reconstructed East 17^th Avenue between Brentnell Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard. 

“This is a great opportunity for all of the community to travel safely to their destinations, whether that be riding  a bicycle to work or recreation, walking to the bus stop, or by traveling by car without flooding on the roadways,” said North Central Area Commission Chair Tiffany White.  “This is one of many strides to bring home ownership back to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as economic development for business.”

In addition to the reconstruction of parts of Joyce Avenue and East 17^th Avenue, project improvements include:

• Sidewalk along the west side of Joyce Avenue between East 12^th Avenue and East 17^th Avenue
• An eight-foot wide shared-used path along the east side of Joyce Avenue between East 12^th Avenue and East 17^th Avenue, and along the west side of Joyce Avenue between East 17^th Avenue and the northern edge of Maloney Park
• Sidewalk along the north side of East 17^th Avenue between Joyce Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard, and between Woodland Avenue and Brentnell Avenue
• Sidewalk along the south side of East 17^th Avenue between Woodland Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard
• New curbs and gutters
• Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps
• New storm sewers on Joyce Avenue between East 12^th Avenue and immediately north of East 17^th Avenue and on East 17^th Avenue between Brentnell Avenue and 300 feet west of Billiter Boulevard
• Upgraded traffic signals
• New street lights on Joyce Avenue between East 12^th Avenue and immediately north of East 17^th Avenue
• Stormwater detention basins on East 17^th Avenue and near the intersection of Joyce and Windsor Avenues

“These improvements will not only make the area safer for families but also encourage economic development along Joyce and 17^th Avenues,” said Councilmember Hardin.  “This project is good for neighborhoods and good for businesses.”

Some remaining minor work on the project will occur after September 30, and will require some temporary lane closures on one side of the street, with two-way traffic maintained in the open lanes while the work along the side of the roadway is being completed. 

• Installation of the remaining street trees at various locations along both Joyce Avenue and East 17^th Avenue; the project includes the planting of a total of 109 street trees
• Landscaping and other work to complete the storm water detention basins on East 17^th Avenue and near the intersection of Joyce and Windsor avenues
• Assorted landscaping along the roadways on Joyce Avenue and East 17^th Avenue

Flaggers will be stationed at either side of the temporary lane closures to help motorists and bicyclists pass safely through the segments with lane restrictions.

The Joyce Avenue Improvements, Phase 2, project is a joint effort between the Department of Public Service and Department of Public Utilities.