Traffic delays expected as Wilmington Avenue construction continues

As more and more new buildings sprout up in Sugar House, the older infrastructure is also affected. Residents and commuters will face traffic delays this spring as major utility line work is done around Wilmington Avenue beginning in March.

A six-story SpringHill Suites Hotel will be built in the southeast pocket of 1300 East and Wilmington this year (essentially where the old Toys ‘R’ Us building was). A new slip line for a problematic sewer main will need to be installed first. With the slew of new housing and businesses along this street, addressing this issue now will save the area from various troubles in the future.  

The Colmena Group, who developed much of the apartment and office buildings in this area, laid out the following timeline of construction:

•Feb 19, 20 install slip line (President’s Day)

oWill need to restrict water/sewer flow during specific windows of time (to be announced).

oRepairs will take place during off-peak night hours

•March 5 (tentative) – demolition/repair of sidewalks

•March 21 (tentative) – demolition of Wilmington Avenue

oWill do one side at a time

oTraffic will flow one direction (east to west)

oGarage parking will be unaffected

oConstruction hours will generally be from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

•End of May – project scheduled to be completed barring weather delays or unforeseen construction issues, etc.

Without a doubt, businesses and residents along Wilmington Avenue will be impacted.

“This will affect our residents, families, visitors, everything,” Summer Crouch, marketing director for the senior living community Legacy Village of Sugar House said. “We will want to provide plenty of notice and detailed information about access to our community at this time, and how it may affect their lives.”

The parking garages along Wilmington Avenue will still be accessible, and no businesses plan on adjusting hours of operation for the project. The construction will impede flows of traffic and cause delays, so everyone living nearby and commuting through this area should take note. 

Further construction along 1300 East will also be going on this spring, so this busy heart of Sugar House will be heavily congested at times. With any road construction delays and added commute time, advanced planning and patience are important.