Chapel Hill Paving Way For Improved Franklin Street

Chapel Hill's

main strip.

The Department of Transportation will repave Franklin Street between Henderson Street and Merritt Mill Road. The project is expected to take two months.

"The town is going to be taking pains to be sure that access is open to businesses along Franklin," said Catherine Lazorko of the Town of Chapel Hill.

The repaving project will be an inconvenience for some, but for businesses, inconvenience does not have to mean lost revenue.

"Most of out customers are students or people who work on Franklin Street, so most of them don't drive anyway -- most of them walk. So it shouldn't be too bad," employee Elaine Cintron said.

Crews will work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

During the day, Franklin Street will remain open for two-way traffic. At night, the roadwork eliminates a lane and street parking on one side of the road.

"I think everyone can agree that the repairs will make for a better Franklin Street," Lazorko said.

In addition to repaving, crews will install additional sidewalk ramps and access for people who use wheelchairs.