For the first time in many years, traffic will soon be moving in both directions in the 800 block of 1st Avenue West.
Traffic has been one way in front of the library for decades but because of the impending construction of the 9th Street bridge — city officials are going to have to change that.
City Operations Manager John Johnston says it has to happen in order to help keep vehicles moving across town.
But it won’t completely alleviate what are expected to be some significant traffic tie-ups.
Johnston says that because the 9th Street project will see the entire street rebuilt between 2nd Avenue West and 2nd Avenue East, there will be times when the intersection of 9th Street West and 1st Avenue West will be at least partially blocked.
The tender for the construction went out on Tuesday and is likely to be awarded at the next meeting of city council, with the work expected to begin at the end of May or the beginning of June.