High to Pearl Planned Waterline Shutdown week of Aug 24

Gay Street Construction Update

What you need to know now:

Work in Your Block

A two-week look ahead at what’s happening in your block

Front & Gay Intersection

Work on manholes, pedestrian ramps and pavers was completed July 31.

Front Street to High Street

Currently closed to vehicular traffic through December 2026

A new sidewalk for pedestrian access on the south side of Gay from Wall to High is completed.

The north sidewalk has been excavated, and new concrete will be poured at business entrances on Friday, Aug. 21, pending weather.  Messer will reach out to coordinate work in doorways for individual businesses from Front to High.

LeVeque Garage parkers will continue to follow the Gay Street exits to Wall Street and out to Broad Street or Lynn Alley. Concrete has been poured at two of the exit lanes.

The final lane will be poured in the week of August 24, with two exit lanes staying open.

Pedestrian access will be diverted from the building face to the roadway along a designated route.

The concrete base will not be final grade, so exits will be plated with metal plates and compacted with stone.

High Street & Gay Street Intersection

Temporary traffic poles are being installed at the intersection. These traffic poles will not be part of the finished condition.

Pedestrians can cross High Street on the south side of Gay Street.

• Start Date: Friday, July 31

• Duration: 3-4 weeks

• Location: Northeast corner of the intersection and southwest side of High Street.

• Impacts:

  • Intermittent excavation

  • Periods of increased noise and dust during normal work hours

High Street to Pearl Street

A planned water shutdown will take place on Thursday, August 27 over the course of a predetermined, 4-hour window.

Impacted businesses will be contacted directly by the City of Columbus at least 48 hours prior. Affected properties will also receive a door notice from Complete General Construction with additional details.

• Location: South side of Gay Street, from High Street to Third Street

• Impacts: Water service will be unavailable during the shutdown. Sinks, toilets, and water-dependent appliances will not be operational until service is restored.

Pearl Street to Third Street

A planned water shutdown will take place on September 3 over the course of a predetermined, 4-hour window.

Impacted businesses will be contacted directly by the City of Columbus at least 48 hours prior. Affected properties will also receive a door notice from Complete General Construction with additional details.

• Location: South side of Gay Street, from Third Street to Fourth Street

• Impacts: Water service will be unavailable during the shutdown. Sinks, toilets, and water-dependent appliances will not be operational until service is restored.

Third & Gay Street Intersection

Work at the intersection is completed as of August 14. All southbound traffic lanes on Third Street are open.

Additional work will be required in the area as the project continues, but the schedule for that work has not yet been determined. Updates will be shared once dates are confirmed.

Third Street to Fourth Street

Crews are working on the water main installation at Gay and Lazelle Street.

• Duration: Approximately 2–3 weeks

• Location: South side of Gay Street, at Lazelle Street

• Impacts:

  • Through access at Lazelle is closed.

  • Intermittent hydro excavation and excavation resulting in increased noise during normal work hours.

• Important Notes: Access to driveways will be maintained

Gay Street Construction Update: Front to High Streets Block-to-Block Construction Starting August 3

What you need to know now:

• Work this Saturday, July 25: Spectrum crews will conduct prep work on the south side of Wall Street from 7 am – 4 pm. No loud noise will result from this work.
• Work on the north side of Front to High along the building faces will begin early next week, July 27. Expect new pedestrian access routes. Keep reading for more details.
• Block-to-Block construction begins Monday, August 3. The Front Street to High Street block will close to vehicular traffic, but pedestrian access to buildings will be maintained at all times. More information about this work can be found on our website.
• Capital Line Office Hours: We heard your requests for the chance to discuss the project in person. Stop by our office hours at Brioso Coffee (53 N High Street) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9–10 am to meet with the project team, ask questions, discuss access or deliveries, and review site-specific concerns—no appointment needed.
• Spectrum and Lumen shutdowns: Spectrum and Lumen customers will be temporarily without service Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, only from 12 am-6 am each day to transition to new service lines. Customers should have received notifications directly. No other internet services will be disrupted due to Gay Street construction. If you are not a Spectrum or Lumen customer and experience internet issues, contact your provider directly.
• Temporary utility shutdowns for vault properties continue through mid-August. Messer is reaching out directly to affected property owners at least two weeks in advance of planned shutdowns to coordinate.
• Street sweeping will occur weekly on Fridays starting today, July 24 from Front Street to Fourth Street. We heard your feedback about keeping the street tidy after work hours, especially over weekends.

Special Construction Update

What to Expect During Block-by-Block Construction 

Over the past several months, crews have been installing the underground infrastructure that will support the new streetscape. While this utility work will continue through October, we’re now preparing for the next major phase of construction: block-to-block reconstruction of Gay Street.

We know many of you are planning months in advance, so below is an overview of the current construction schedule, what you can expect before work reaches your block, and how access will be maintained throughout construction.

Please note that construction schedules remain weather and field-condition dependent and may change as work progresses.

Construction Schedule 

Utility Work 

Ongoing through October 2026 

Underground utility installation and utility transitions will continue throughout the corridor while block-by-block construction begins. 

Block-by-Block Construction 

View block-by-block schedule map

What to Expect Before Construction Reaches Your Block

Approximately 4–6 weeks before block-to-block construction begins, crews will begin preparing your block so they can move efficiently once the roadway closes.

Step 1: Patio Closure

6 weeks before block-to-block construction

Before any work begins adjacent to buildings, businesses with outdoor patios will need to temporarily close and clear those spaces.

• Messer will notify businesses with patios 1-2 weeks prior to the work beginning to remove and store patio furniture and personal items.

• Messer will also remove and safely store patio fencing, reinstalling after the block-to-block construction is complete.

Patios will remain closed until construction on that block is complete, and it is safe to reopen.

We understand patios are an important part of many businesses, particularly during the warmer months, and crews will work to restore them as quickly as possible.

Step 2: Preparation Along Building Fronts

6 weeks before block-to-block construction

Following patio closures, crews will begin work immediately adjacent to buildings while the street remains open to traffic.

Work will extend approximately 6-10 feet from the building face, allowing crews to complete the new sidewalk before the roadway reconstruction begins.

• During this phase, you can expect:

  • Excavation along building fronts.

  • Clearly marked pedestrian pathways protected by barricade.

  • Temporary plywood and asphalt ramps

  • Intermittent increases in construction noise during normal working hours

Business entrances will remain accessible throughout this work. However, crews will need to work directly in front of individual doorways for 1–2 days to pour new concrete. They will use quick-curing concrete and provide temporary ramps to restore access as quickly as possible. Pavers will be installed later during block-to-block construction (Step 3 below).

Messer Construction will coordinate individually with the affected business or property owner to schedule the work at the least disruptive time whenever possible.

When this phase is complete, the newly poured concrete adjacent to buildings will become the primary pedestrian route during the next stage of construction.

View block-to-block prep from Front to High: Phase 2A, Phase 2B

Step 3: Block-to-Block Construction

Road closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrian access is maintained.

Once preparation work is complete, crews will begin full block-to-block reconstruction.

During this phase:

• The active block will be closed to vehicular traffic. Loading zones will be identified.

• Pedestrian access to buildings will be maintained.

• Customers, employees, residents and visitors will use the newly constructed walkway adjacent to the building face for access.

• Construction fencing will safely separate pedestrians from the active work zone.

• Ramps and bridges will be used as needed to create accessible pathways through and around active construction.  

Step 4: Intersections

As work moves east, the major intersections at High Street and Third Street will be reconstructed while work continues on the blocks on either side. Construction will occur one corner at a time, beginning at the southwest corner and moving clockwise around the intersection. Each corner is expected to take approximately two weeks, for a total construction duration of about two to three months per intersection.

Work at the alley intersections will be handled more flexibly to accommodate the many ways these alleys serve Gay Street businesses, including deliveries, loading, and access.

Traffic, Loading & Parking

After utility work is completed in October 2026, the areas of Gay Street outside the active construction block will reopen to two-way traffic.

As construction progresses east, completed sections of Gay Street will reopen while work continues on the next block.

To support access during construction:

• Temporary loading zones will be available for deliveries, customer pickup and drop-off, rideshare services and quick stops.

• Loading zones should generally be used for 15 minutes or less to keep them available for everyone.

• Long-term on-street parking will not be available

• The Fourth & Elm Garage validation program will continue for participating businesses.

New: Capital Line Office Hours

Have a question about construction? Want to talk through a concern specific to your business or property? We’re introducing Capital Line Office Hours to make it easier to connect with the project team in person.

Beginning Friday, July 17, a member of the Capital Line project team will be at Brioso Coffee every Wednesday and Friday from 9 – 10 a.m.

Stop by to:

• Ask questions about upcoming construction
• Review access, deliveries or construction impacts
• Walk through issues on-site if needed

While we’re always available by phone or email, sometimes it’s easier to have a conversation face-to-face or step outside together to look at a specific concern. No appointment is necessary, just stop in during office hours.

• Brioso Coffee
• Wednesdays & Fridays, 9-10 a.m.

For your convenience, the location of office hours may change as construction progresses, so we’re always close to the active work area.

Need Immediate Assistance?

If you have an urgent construction issue or a concern that can’t wait until office hours, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email. We’re happy to help or connect you with the appropriate member of the project team.

Project Updates & Business Support

Madison Cole, Capital Line Project Executive, Downtown Columbus, Inc.

760-409-7114 | [email protected]

Construction Questions & Onsite Issues

Alec Schroeder, Project Engineer

614-935-6093 | [email protected]

Jason Starr, Superintendent

740-485-1113 | [email protected]

Types of concerns they can help with quickly:

• Dirt or materials on the building facade after excavation
• Questions about work hours or durations in your immediate vicinity
• Loading zone usage or related issues
• Utility outage questions

Supporting Gay Street Businesses

We’re continuing to invest in tools that help customers find and support Gay Street businesses throughout construction.

As blocks close, construction fencing will feature Gay Street Awaits messaging, wayfinding and project renderings to help visitors navigate the corridor and get excited about the future. As work is completed, fencing will be removed as quickly as it is safe to do so, reopening portions of the street along the way.

Resources for Businesses:

• Parking validations for the Fourth & Elm Garage for participating businesses

  • Customizable map with directions from the garage to your front door (Canva)

• Gay Street Parking Page. We realize the Fourth & Elm Garage might not be the best option for all visitors, we pulled together all the parking options on Gay Street, including surface lots, valets and other nearby garages.

• Gay Street District Page.

• The Capital Line Construction Communications Toolkit

  • A document with copy-paste language for newsletters, websites, social media, etc.

  • Images and graphics to help customers understand what’s going on and how to get to you.

Additional Promotion:  

• Sidewalk decals with QR codes

• Third Street Billboard

• Broad and High digital signage

• Experience Columbus Visitor Guide Ad

• A frame signage (coming soon)

Gay Street Construction Update: Preparing for the Next Phase
A look ahead at what’s happening with construction on Gay Street in the next two weeks.

Construction continues to make steady progress on Gay Street, and we’re preparing for the next major phase of work. 

While utility work between High and Fourth Streets will continue through October, we’re also preparing to begin block-by-block construction from Front Street to High Street in August. 

During this phase, the block will be closed to vehicular traffic, but pedestrian access to all buildings will be maintained at all times. 

More details on the block-by-block schedule will be shared next week; below is a look at the work you’ll see over the next two weeks.

Here’s what you need to know this week:

• No construction work will take place this weekend, but the UnderCurrent Bastille Day Festival will be happening this Sunday, July 12 from 1 – 4 pm in High Street from Gay to Long. High Street will be closed for this event.  
• Temporary utility shutdowns for vault properties will begin next week (July 13). Messer is reaching out directly to affected property owners at least two weeks in advance of planned shutdowns to coordinate.  
• Spectrum and Lumen shutdowns: Spectrum and Lumen customers will be temporarily without service Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, only from 12 am-6 am each day to transition to new service lines. Customers should have received notifications directly. No other internet services will be disrupted due to Gay Street construction. If you are not a Spectrum or Lumen customer and experience internet issues, contact your provider directly.

A Look Ahead at Construction

Front & Gay Intersection

• Crews are currently working on the west side of Front Street at the Gay Street intersection on manholes, pedestrian ramps and laying pavers. Work will wrap up by Friday, July 24. Pedestrian crossing detours are signed. 

Gay Street Construction Update
A look ahead at what’s happening with construction on Gay Street in the next two weeks.

Thank you for your patience as work continues on Gay Street. Utility work between Front and High is wrapping up in preparation for block-by-block construction beginning in July.

At the same time, crews are shifting their focus to the Third Street area to install key water infrastructure and get the traffic duct bank in place, while vault work has advanced to the point where utility switchovers will begin mid-July.

Here’s what you need to know this week:

• Work this Saturday, June 27: Hydrovacing will take place at the intersection of Gay & High from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  
  
• Overnight work the week of June 29: Crews will install temporary traffic signal poles and pull wires overnight at intersections along Gay Street. This work will have minimal impact and little to no noise, though you may notice crews working overnight.
  
  
• Utility shutdowns for vault properties begin in mid-July: Planned overnight gas, and electrical service interruptions are required to transition utilities to the new infrastructure. We will coordinate directly with affected property owners and businesses. These outages apply only to properties with vaults.
  
  
• Work expands near Third Street: Waterline and duct bank installation begins next week, bringing intermittent noise and temporary lane reductions on Third Street for the next month.
  
  
• No work July 2–3: Construction will pause Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, for the holiday weekend.

A Look Ahead at Construction

Gay & High Streets Intersection

• Work will occur this Saturday, June 27, at the intersection of Gay & High from 8 am – 3 pm. There will be hydrovacing with intermittent noise.

Third & Gay Street Intersection

• Starting the week of June 29, Third Street will be reduced to one southbound lane, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 3 pm for approximately 2-3 weeks.
• Traffic will be maintained on the east side of the street, while the two west lanes will be closed.
• This will involve intermittent hydro-vacuuming and saw cutting, which may create periods of increased noise. Work may also take place on Saturdays.

Third Street to Fourth Street

• Work to install the new duct bank will occur between on the south side of Gay Street between Third and Lazelle Street from 7 am – 3:30 pm for approx. one month starting the week of June 29.

As vault work continues, AEP and Columbia Gas will be conducting shutdowns to transfer services to updated systems. Overnight shutdowns are tentatively planned to take place from July 15 through August 8. We will be reaching out directly to affected property owners and businesses to coordinate shut downs. This applies only to properties with a vault being modified (22, 47, 51, 59, 71-73, 75-81 E Gay)

Thank you for your continued patience as work progresses on Gay Street. We know construction can be disruptive, and we truly appreciate your flexibility as crews work to improve the corridor. 

As work continues, the team has encountered a few unforeseen underground conditions that have required more hydro excavation than originally anticipated, but the project is still on schedule. 

Please note that no construction work is planned for Thursday, July 2, or Friday, July 3. 

Work Activity This Saturday, June 13 

Crews will be working this Saturday, June 13, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with hydro excavation beginning at 8 a.m. 

Work will take place at the southeast corner of Gay and Wall Streets, along the sidewalk near Veritas, and at the southwest corner of the Gay and High Street intersection. 

Water Line Shutdown Planned for Wednesday, June 17, at 10 p.m. 

To complete the transition to the new water main, the City of Columbus will conduct a temporary water service shutdown beginning at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. The shutdown is expected to last approximately 2–4 hours. 

During the shutdown, water service will be unavailable. Sinks, toilets, and water-dependent appliances will not be operational until service is restored, which is currently anticipated around 2 a.m. 

We are still working with the City of Columbus to confirm the exact buildings that will be affected, but impacts are expected to be limited primarily to properties between Front Street and High Street. As soon as we have confirmation, we will notify impacted buildings directly. 

Affected properties will also receive a door notice from Complete General Construction with additional details. 

Interconnect Duct Bank Splicing Scheduled for June 19–21 

Beginning Friday, June 19, and continuing through Sunday, June 21, crews will be working near the intersection of Gay and Wall Streets to complete more than 2,500 fiber splices connecting the duct bank between Front Street and High Street. 

Work is expected to occur during the following times: 

• Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. – Saturday, June 20, 7 a.m. 

• Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. – Sunday, June 21, 9 a.m. 

Please note that High Street will be closed for the Stonewall Columbus Pride March on Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

You may notice a work truck, generator, and temporary lighting in the area during this work. No additional road closures or traffic restrictions are anticipated. 

A Look Ahead 

Front Street to High Street 

• Hydro excavation near Gay and Wall Streets (Veritas) and on High Street will continue through Tuesday, June 16. 

• The water service shutdown is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, at 10 p.m. and is expected to last 2–4 hours. 

High Street to Pearl Street 

• A new water service line will be installed for the building at the northeast corner of Gay and High Streets (near Chouette) from June 15–17. This work will involve intermittent elevated noise levels. 

• Beginning around June 17, private utility work will cross High Street into this block. Several days of excavation and hydro excavation are expected. 

Pearl Street to Third Street 

• Water line work will continue into early next week, including intermittent hydro excavation activities. 

Third Street to Fourth Street 

• Starting June 22, hydro excavation will take place in one lane of Third Street during daytime hours (approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for about two weeks. Third Street will be reduced to two southbound lanes during this work. Left turns from Third Street onto Gay Street will be maintained. 

• Saw cutting for the duct bank and additional hydro excavation for the water line will begin the week of June 29. 

• Beginning July 6, work is expected to move to the corner of Gay and Lazelle Streets. 

Parking 

To help make visiting Gay Street businesses easier during construction, customers can park at the Fourth & Elm Garage for just $1 per hour for up to three hours with validation from a participating Gay Street business. 

Businesses interested in receiving monthly parking validations can complete the attached form. 

Please feel free to share this video or use the graphic to spread the word to your customers about this option.

Work to prepare the underground infrastructure is continuing. Here’s a closer look at some of the work you may see happening on the street.  

Overall 

You can expect periodic hydro excavation and jackhammering during work hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) through the end of June. Saw cutting will begin at Gay and Front Streets the week of May 18 and progress east through the corridor.  

Pearl Alley 

This week, excavation work will begin in Pearl Street for the next 1–2 weeks. During this work, South Pearl Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during work hours but will remain open to pedestrians. South Pearl Street will reopen for vehicles at 4 p.m. each day.  

Lynn Alley will remain open to two-way local traffic.  

North Pearl Alley will remain closed to vehicular traffic.  

Click here to see a map with this traffic flow. 

Vault Water Line Work 

Over the next month, water line work associated with the vaults will also take place along Gay Street. As crews are available, they will set up small barrier areas that may block part of the sidewalk and, in some cases, extend to the building face. 

In these areas, pedestrians may be directed to use an alternate path, but access to building entrances will be maintained. Each location is expected to take approximately 2–3 days to complete. If your property has a vault, Messer will contact the property owner 1–2 days in advance to provide notice of the work. 

There are no planned water outages at this time. 

We’re moving full steam ahead with utility enablement construction on Gay Street beginning Monday, April 20. 

If you missed our last update covering new traffic patterns, demolition and parking validation details, access it here.  

Reminder: Gay Street on-street parking will be removed on Monday, April 20 from Front to Fourth Street.  

If you requested parking validations for the Fourth and Elm Garage, a Safer Downtown ambassador will deliver those by Friday, April 17.  

Missed the window to request validations? Submit a request here and we’ll do our best to get those to you quickly. 

If you’re looking for resources to keep customers and employees up to date throughout construction, use the toolkit materials available here. There’s also an editable Canva template accessible here. 

 LOADING AND DELIVERY ZONES 

During the first phase of construction (April–June) use the designated loading zones found in the image below for day-to-day needs including: 

• Deliveries  

• Customer drop-off and pick-up (rideshare, taxis, etc.)  

• Carryout and delivery order pick-up  

Please note: these zones are not for short- or long-term parking. 

Good afternoon, 

Construction will begin on Gay Street on Monday, April 20. Here’s what to expect in the first two weeks.  

Week of April 20 

Crews will begin removing medians, trees, on-street parking and parking payment kiosks along Gay Street from Front Street to Fourth Street. 

1. Work will occur during typical daytime hours (7 am – 3:30 pm). 

1. Gay Street will be reduced to one lane, one-way eastbound, using barrels to maintain traffic.  

1. Pedestrian access to all businesses will be maintained at all times. 

Beginning April 20, on-street parking on Gay Street from Front Street to Fourth Street will be removed for the duration of construction. Convenient and affordable parking will be available at the 4th and Elm Garage ($1 per hour, 3 hours max). See details below to request validations for your business.  

Week of April 27 

Utility enablement work will begin on the Front Street to High Street block, moving east to Fourth Street. This phase is expected to last approximately six weeks. 

1. Gay Street will remain one lane, one-way eastbound (Front to Fourth) during this work. 

1. During this phase, you will notice temporary traffic signals going up at High Street, Third Street and Fourth Street to help direct traffic. These will only be part of construction, not the finished project.  

1. The work will primarily take place on the north side of the street. The sidewalk will not be impacted.  

1. This work involves crews digging into and beneath the street. Jack hammering and hydro-excavation will occur periodically, resulting in intermittent increased noise during typical hours (7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)