After nearly two years of reconstruction, the stretch of N. Charles Street from 29th Street to University Parkway will reopen to vehicular traffic on Sept. 5.
According to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, the Charles Street Reconstruction Project will be “substantially complete” by the end of September with the opening of all sidewalks for pedestrian traffic.
The $28 million reconstruction project, which was funded in part by a $2.5 million contribution from the University, began over summer 2012 and has caused closures of Charles Street for cars, as well as closures of crosswalks connecting dorms and businesses with the Homewood campus.
Although most of the project’s goals will be fulfilled by the end of September, additional work — including the final surface paving of the roadway — will likely take place in the spring, depending on weather conditions.
“Residents may see the contractor working in isolated areas fixing punch list items even after the substantial completion of the project,” Adrienne Barnes, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore City Dept. of Transportation, wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Punch list items (a record of incomplete construction items covered by a contract) are typical to all DOT construction projects and are normally the tasks completed before a project is closed.”
The project will also have to be inspected and approved by the Maryland State Highway Administration in accordance with laws regarding federally funded projects.
The project also includes a public art garden, which will open in front of Charles Commons at the corner of N. Charles Street and 33rd Street. The opening for the garden has not yet been announced, and the art walk is not yet open to pedestrian traffic.
