Nowak and Fraus Engineers (NFE) had the honor of serving the City of Birmingham as prime engineering consultant for the South Old Woodward Avenue Reconstruction Project, which was Phase 3 of the City’s comprehensive downtown streetscape and infrastructure reconstruction. Phase 3 was intended to modernize the southern portion of the City’s vibrant downtown. A traffic-calming road diet, wider sidewalks and crosswalks, additional mid-block crossings, extensive ADA accessibility upgrades, and a high-contrast lighting layout at pedestrian crossings enhanced pedestrian safety. The streetscape design was also intended to provide amenities, including bus stop shelters, bike racks, moped parking spaces, and accommodations for future EV parking spaces. Overall aesthetics throughout the corridor are greatly enhanced by various “pocket park” areas that feature decorative curb islands, granite benches, landscaping, and trees.
Project highlights include:
- 10,500 Square yards of concrete pavement
- 8,500 Square yards of concrete sidewalks
- 76 Exposed aggregate raised curb
- Landscape & tree planters
- 6,300 Plantings
- Pavement markings
- Signage
- Reduced imperviousness
- An equivalent length of nearly seven miles of underground utilities
- 100-Foot-Wide Right-of-Way of Old Woodward Avenue, consisting of water main, combined sewer main, storm drains, storm detention, sanitary and water building services, legacy fiber conduit, street lighting, electrical system, and irrigation system
