Carbondale’s transportation master plan identified this corridor as a vital link in the town’s multimodal network, connecting residential neighborhoods to downtown and prioritizing pedestrian access along a route that had long lacked it. That planning foundation shaped how RFE approached the work: not as a standalone fix, but as a deliberate investment in connectivity.

Before any design work could begin, RFE completed a thorough site survey to assess existing road widths and right-of-way boundaries. Ultimately, the design was able to preserve a travel lane in each direction while adding parallel parking on both sides of the street and a 6-foot sidewalk along each edge. This configuration improves the corridor without reducing its capacity.

In addition, pedestrian infrastructure carries a different design standard than roadway work. Sidewalks, cross-slopes, surface material, and especially curb ramps at street crossings all had to meet accessibility requirements that ensure the improvements are usable for everyone. 

Finally, utility relocations were required in several locations, and the team worked to sequence and route those relocations in ways that minimized disruption to residential property.