1 / 5

Road map showing where raised pedestrian crossings will be placed on Center Street in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

2 / 5

Overhead map of street closures associated with construction planned for Center Street in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

3 / 5

Map showing reconfigurations coming to the pedestrian crossing at about 450 West along Center Street in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

4 / 5

Corner change planned for 100 West on Center Street in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

5 / 5

Overhead map of street closures associated with construction planned for Center Street in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

❮ ❯

Provo’s Center Street has been an iconic gathering place for shoppers, good eating and even a cruising spot back in the 1950s and ’60s. It has had different parking configurations, the Bamgartner rail line and hosted Christmas, homecoming and various other parades and events.

Now, Center Street in downtown Provo is going to go through another change that will be more pedestrian friendly, provide more space for outdoor eating and offer more nighttime ambience lighting.

Beginning Sunday, infrastructure improvements are set to be made over the next month or so. With Center Street being designated as a linear park, these improvements will work to increase accessibility and safety to everyone visiting downtown, according to Nicole Martin, city spokeswoman.

Provo will be resurfacing the road between University Avenue and Freedom Boulevard to address deterioration and potholes. Raised crosswalks near the entrances to downtown are intended to help slow vehicles to the posted speed limits, as well as improve visibility and awareness of pedestrian crossings. These crosswalks will be compliant with disability laws, with slopes extending into the sidewalk areas. New shared lane markings will also be painted along the corridor, encouraging cyclists to ride in the street, as well as informing drivers to share the road.

Additional improvements are being made for outdoor dining areas. Existing planter strips will be removed and open space provided. Martin said the goal is to help keep the city’s downtown economically vibrant and welcoming to all in Provo.

“We understand that construction activities may have immediate impacts to businesses. In scheduling these projects, we have been aware of certain needs and have scheduled construction activities to help minimize conflicts,” she said. “However, certain construction activities will require full closures of the street. We will work to finish these improvements as quickly as possible.”

Residents and visitors to downtown need not worry; there is still plenty of parking available and the city encourages residents to keep frequenting its downtown businesses during construction.

“Please be aware of detour routes and make the needed adjustments. Installing these improvements will take time and we appreciate your patience as these changes are being made,” Martin said.

The construction is in response to public feedback.

“Center Street is designated as an ‘enhanced pedestrian connection’ but does not prohibit motor traffic,” said Gordon Haight, Provo City engineer. “With prioritization by the City Council and mayor, we’re able to make cost-effective upgrades for a safer multi-modal transportation corridor more closely matching its intended use.”

Haight said pedestrian safety is a concern because traffic speeds often exceed the posted 15 mph.

“As a (police) department, we have routinely seen speeds on the Center Street mall area that exceed the posted limits. Our officers conduct frequent speed checks, pedestrian crossing details and issue citations for traffic violations,” said Jana Lee Holland, public information officer for the Provo Police Department. “We are encouraged by the upcoming installation of new raised pedestrian crossings, and hope they will provide better crossing visibility for drivers, as well as naturally slow traffic entering the Center Street mall area due to the raised surface. We ask drivers and pedestrians to pay extra attention to closed lanes and redirected routes of travel while the work is underway.”

Safety design changes include installing raised crosswalks and enhanced lighting at mid-block crossings at 50 West and 450 West with future additional raised crosswalks possible. Raised crosswalks are intended to calm traffic, boost pedestrian visibility and notify drivers of entrances into the pedestrian connections. Additionally, shared lane markings (known as “sharrows”) will be added to indicate a common spaces for bicycle, scooter and vehicle traffic.

“Pedestrian safety has been a big concern of ours for several years. The speed limit is 15, but the average speed is 35. This makes crosswalks dangerous and backing out of parking stalls difficult,” said Quinn Peterson, director of Downtown Provo Inc., in an email. “In 2018, we put forward a proposal asking for street changes to encourage reduced speeds throughout downtown. We are so excited to see this finally becoming a reality.”

“It’s always a delicate balance to manage growth with quality of life,” said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “Historic Downtown Provo is a unique, quaint destination location meant to be leisurely enjoyed. While challenging during the construction process, these necessary improvements will help preserve it and enhance its vibrancy.”

Outdoor dining areas will be created at the northeast corner of the intersections at 200 West and 100 West to be utilized by downtown businesses.

“Our goal is to improve the safety of downtown Center Street while supporting the economic health of business owners during the construction process,” said Keith Morey, Provo City economic director, in a prepared statement. “Support our efforts to make downtown safer by supporting our local businesses who will be the most impacted.”

Free parking will be available on the site of the former Provo City Hall at 351 W. Center St., though not for overnight use.

“Provo businesses have been asking Provo City for many years to reduce traffic speed and pedestrian safety on Center Street,” said Scott Glenn, manager of Pioneer Book, in an email. “We know there will be an impact to our customers for a short period of time but we look forward to the improved downtown experience people will have when the improvements are completed.”

Construction will begin Sunday and be completed by approximately Oct. 9, barring delays.

Newsletter