The City of Athens has secured York Paving Co. to complete the Columbus Circle Access Road Project.
The company plans to begin construction later this week, and the work is expected to last until mid-November, according to an Athens City news release.
This project, formerly the Circle Drive Access Road Project, involves laying 650 feet of asphalt roadway, constructing storm sewers, curb construction and other miscellaneous work.
A section of Columbus Circle will be closed during construction and access to businesses will be maintained, according to the release. The city will coordinate with residents for local access needs.
Upon completion, the road will lead to a new $15 million joint health care facility called the Laurels of Athens and Maplewood of Athens.
As the completed facility is expected to bring more than 100 jobs to Athens County, sitting on the multi-million dollar investment isn’t easy, said Bill Bias, Columbus Circle Access Road Project director and City Council president, in an interview earlier this month.
“(Columbus Circle) has been a great frustration,” Bias said. “What goes into road construction can be very time consuming. Right now, we are literally sitting on a $15 million investment (waiting) for it to be open.”
The project is being partially funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.
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