Staff report

A $1.8 million makeover is in the works for the area around the intersection of Main Street and Constance Road.

Beginning today, a contractor will begin work to improve the streets and to place utility lines underground. Work crews will be out at 7 a.m. to begin saw cutting the pavement on Constance Road and will continue their work until about 6 p.m.

On Thursday, crews will begin excavation of the roadway for the installation of a waterline.

This is first step in placing all utilities underground – including overhead electric lines – and improving the streetscape.

The project will also provide upgrades to existing water and sewer lines in the area.

This initial work will require closing the outside east bound lane on Constance Road, extending from the intersection of Main Street and Constance Road to the entrance to Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Crews will set up a detour for eastbound traffic on Constance Road, directing traffic to Finney Avenue, left onto Pinner Street, then left onto Katherine Street, and back to Constance Road.

Traffic can also continue on Pinner back to Constance.

Depending on the weather, this detour will remain in place for about four weeks.

These street improvements and new underground utilities are part of the

Downtown Initiatives Plan and will be completed in time for the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn and Suffolk Conference Center next March.

Traffic on Constance Road in the vicinity will experience some interruptions from time to time as the work proceeds, and the contractor will provide updates on traffic control schedules as far in advance as possible.