Downtown Streetscape Improvements - Mill Avenue, Rio Salado Parkway to University Drive, Phase 2
Project Owner: City of Tempe
Project Type: Construction Manager at Risk
Achen-Gardner Construction is working with the City of Tempe, J2 (Design Engineer), and specialty subcontractors to Refresh Tempe. We are enhancing Mill Avenue from University Drive to Rio Salado Parkway, the first renovation of this historic corridor in nearly 40 years. Construction is taking place in multiple phases and includes hardscape, landscape, pavement, and artistic improvements to this iconic area. We are working closely with the City of Tempe and the Downtown Tempe Authority to maintain access and support downtown residents and businesses during construction.
We improved the storm drainage system on all four corners of the Mill Avenue and 5th Street intersection. Additional infrastructure was required to support the grades of the roadway with the construction of “bump outs” at each corner. We completed six tie-ins, one new manhole, six catch basins, and more than 170 LF of 8” to 18” storm drain. This storm drain work was primarily completed within partial sidewalk and bike lane closures. The tie-in to the existing mainline on the southwest corner of the intersection had to be completed at night during a southbound closure of Mill Avenue. Trench plates were milled and recessed at the end of each shift so that the roadway could be reopened for daytime traffic. The tie-ins to the east mainline pipe required night work and detailed coordination with Valley Metro, as the mainline that was tied into was only a few feet from the edge of the Tempe Streetcar tracks. We also had to shift one of the catch basins on the northeast corner of 5th Street because the City asked for the removal and replacement of a concrete foundation for a banner pole. The existing banner pole foundation was insufficient, so we removed it and poured a larger one. The planned catch basin in the area adapted to a new plan in accordance with these changes.
