Lincolnites prepare ahead of O Street Project construction kickoff

Avery Larson lives on O street with her dog Olive. She says she has some concerns over the construction but is looking forward to the end results.

“I am a little worried about the noise, I’m a little worried about the construction but I think it’ll be worth it in the end,” she said.

As for her overall expectations for the project, she hopes it opens up more space for outdoor activities.

“I think it’ll be great to add green space down here, I think it’s been lacking, and I have a dog so it’ll be great.” said Larson.

Rick Petty is a local artist and helps out at the Metro Gallery on a weekly basis. The gallery is at the center of where the construction will happen.

“People don’t really want it to happen, but they understand that it has to happen,” he said. “The city is actually going out of their way to make it less of an interruption.”

Petty went to previous open houses about the O Street Project and says LTU really listened to the people’s concerns raised.

“Like the parking and the traffic flow, having the sidewalks blocked off or not, and the signage. Making sure people knew it was open and can come down and that they knew it was open,” said Petty.

LTU says the westbound lanes will close but one lane in each direction will remain open. They plan to do minor work on the sidewalks, but most of it will remain open to pedestrians.

Another LTU open house is scheduled for Apr. 7, just two days after the initial construction begins.

Petty says he will definitely be in attendance.