Midland Streetscape Project - Update July 12, 2024

Midland Streetscape Project Update July 12, 2024

Zone 1 Completed

Zone 1 construction of the Midland Streetscape Project is complete. This drone shot, taken last week, shows the new street level improvements. New and highly visible ADA accessible crosswalks give pedestrians and bicyclists various options for navigating the busy intersection of Midland Avenue and Midland Spur and the bulb outs in the sidewalks shorten the length of the crossing.

The new subgrade electric and communications infrastructure allow for greater resiliency into the future and will allow Midland businesses and residents to have access to broadband internet.

One of the environmental benefits of the project is the improved stormwater system. The drone shot shows the new center draining concrete valley pan which will direct water from either side of the street into the new underground storm system. Runoff through Midland will then be treated before reaching the Roaring Fork River. This new drainage system will ease the buildup of snow and ice on the sidewalks and roadways that have been problematic in downtown Basalt for decades.

In the photo below, you can see the new center draining storm system in action!

New places to rest and gather, socialize and people watch, have invited locals and tourists to enjoy historic Basalt. Landscaping and lighting will be installed as the project progresses.

Zone 2 Information

Work in Zone 2 has already begun in front of Alpine Bank and Heirlooms. Zone 2 extends from Heirlooms to Café Bernard and Alpine Bank to the Iron Horse building.

The work on Zone 2 includes demolishing the sidewalks and road, installing stormwater, electric, and communications infrastructure, re-grading the road, widening the sidewalks and adding ADA accessibility, installation of rain gardens, paving, landscaping, new lighting, and site furnishing installation.

Pedestrian access will be maintained, although there may be some detours around the work areas. Like in Zone 1, traffic will be directed by flaggers by day and traffic signals at night as Midland Avenue will continue to be reduced to one-way alternating traffic.

Work began this week on the north side of the street and will gradually move east and then will switch to the south side of the road progressing toward Café Bernard and the Iron Horse building. Zone 2 construction is expected to run through late summer.

Rain Gardens

An environmental feature of the Midland Streetscape design that will be integrated into Zone 2 construction are three rain gardens. The infrastructure for the first of three has already been installed! Rain gardens are designed to capture, absorb, and filter surface runoff from the street before it reaches the Roaring Fork River.

Rain gardens are often planted near impervious surfaces and contain specialized soils and native grasses and bushes. They are designed to allow runoff to percolate quickly through the specially designed soil mixture which removes pollutants that come from the road, like dirt, oil, litter, and debris. The native shrubs and plants drink up the water, too. In addition, they are landscaped to attract birds, bees, and butterflies to add a bit of green space to the urban street.

The new center draining storm system will direct runoff to the rain gardens.

Midland Money

Join us for Music this Summer at Basalt River Park and Triangle Park in Willits

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