Commercial Street construction closing streets

Commercial Street is under construction from Raymond High School to the 101 and 101 to Third Street. All businesses will remain open. Use Duryea or Heath Streets to get to businesses that you would regularly use Commercial Street for. Above graphic depic

The street construction along Commercial Street in Raymond has recently been expanded to the full project length that runs from Raymond High School to Highway 101, and from 101 to Third Street. Traffic is not allowed to utilize Commercial Street coming off Highway 101.

Alternate routes for locations along Commercial Street have been designated as using Duryea Street or Heath Street. Connecting alleyways or streets are blocked off at Commercial Street but are still usable up to that point.

Residents are cautioned that the construction is scheduled for final completion in late October. Already the Commercial Street Bus Stop has been relocated to the sidewalk outside of the Raymond Public Market on Heath Street behind Dennis Company.

The construction calls for a complete overhaul of the section of Commercial Street from sidewalk to sidewalk with new curbing that will be American with Disabilities Act complient. Power and utilities will be going underground and a few new streetlights will be erected.

With the previous construction on Third Street, Raymond Fire Chief Todd Strozyk does not see that the construction will be a direct impact to the Raymond Fire Department. But residents should be advised that the normal path of running Commercial Street by the fire department will have to be re-routed to alternate routes and citizens should be very aware if they here sirens and clear the streets as quickly as possible.

The drive-up mailbox at the back of the Raymond Post Office will be unavailable during construction. Patrons wishing to drop off mail will have to park and go in the lobby to send any mail out.

Pedestrians are cautioned to use common sense when traversing the area especially at times of low visibility and walk around the construction as it will be in various stages from now through the October completion date.

With the late start to the project Quigg Brothers Construction is still very optimistic that they will be able to accommodate bus traffic when school starts, albeit on gravel roads for at least the first month. The section by Raymond High School is priority for the six-year transportation plan.

But with that said it was discovered as the crews were working the section of Commercial Street along the school, a layer of concrete was found that will cause additional work, as it was first thought that the street was only asphalt. With construction now moving across Highway 101 ,it is still undetermined if that concrete layer runs the length of Commercial Street.

Raymond Police Chief Chuck Spoor notes, "I ask everyone to be patient and use caution in the area with crews working."

Patience is key during this time of major construction, patience and caution as Raymond will be getting so well deserved work completed that will better enhance the daily lives of residents in the community.