With the start of a new year there are many upcoming changes coming to Danville one of which being the Catalyst Project estimated to begin construction between April and May. The project is said to cost an estimated four million dollars with the improvements of traffic calming, beatifications to 5 intersections alongside Hartz Avenue, Linda Mesa Avenue, and near the Village Theatre, and the enhancement of the towns charm of the town.
By improving the traffic calming, the town plans on reducing accidents occurring by adding raised intersections and higher visibility of pedestrians crossing with the full project estimated to take roughly six to nine months for full completion.
, “The beginning of the project will focus on work at intersections, along the curbsides, so at first we hope to not have full road closures,” Jenn Starnes the Communications and Economic Development Manager for downtown Danville said.“ Toward the end of the project there will be road closures for street paving.”
As part of the beautification process, Danville hopes to improve the town’s overall charm. They’re installing newer benches and crosswalks with subtle aspects of the historic past as well as adding additional lighting throughout Hartz Ave. They also plan on adding more plant life and additional trees on the Prospect Park and Village Theatre Plaza.
Monte Vista students are also excited about the changes. “It’s good to see that they’re actually making good changes that are going too help with safety,” said junior Dalton Montraix, “but if their closing Hartz I’d have to take the free way to the gym instead”
He was however very satisfied with the improvements being made but was concerned the advertisement of the project wasn’t good enough. His main concern was that it could lead to change in plans to those who go through or past Hartz Avenue with three of the intersections being closed there towards the end of the project causing traffic build up and blocked access to certain stores/ parking lots.
”I wish they would of advertised the project better especially a project as big as this,” Dalton said, “with the closure of some of the intersections its going to take a lot longer to get where you want to go.”
