The Downtown Links Improvement Project is entering its final stages, with significant progress visible throughout the site. Construction crews have been concentrating efforts on the west end of the Sixth Street underpass, where work includes reinforcing the retaining wall and pouring the remaining concrete footings. The multi-use path has now been fully paved and provides a direct connection to the Stone Avenue bicycle and pedestrian bridge, enhancing mobility and access for all users. New light poles have also been installed along the path to improve safety and visibility.
Work continues around the deck plaza area, where crews are installing landscaping features and irrigation lines that will help activate the space and create a welcoming environment for the community once the project is complete.
Project Background
The Downtown Links Improvement Project began construction in August 2020 and represents a major infrastructure investment in the downtown area. This phase of the project connects Barraza Aviation Parkway to St. Mary’s Road and has been delivered in two segments. The eastern segment, extending from Barraza Aviation Parkway at Broadway to Sixth Street, was completed in February 2023.
Beyond surface roadway improvements, the project includes several key infrastructure elements designed to enhance safety, connectivity, and flood protection. These improvements include an underground box culvert to help alleviate downtown flooding, a new overpass at Sixth Avenue, and an underpass at Sixth Street that removes the at-grade railroad crossing. Additional features include a new roadway, a deck plaza, and expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities that support multimodal transportation and downtown revitalization.
What’s Ahead
Construction will continue on the west end of the project, with crews completing retaining wall reinforcement and building the new intersection at Church Avenue and Sixth Street. Paving of the new Sixth Street roadway is also upcoming. The Downtown Links Improvement Project is anticipated to be completed in the coming months, with a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for the spring to mark this significant milestone for the community.