Alachua County Public Works will begin Phase 1 of the resurfacing of Northeast/Northwest 53rd Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
Watson Construction will complete the $7.6 million project, which will resurface the 3.8-mile roadway from U.S. Highway 441 to North Main Street. In addition to resurfacing, a new left-turn lane will be added at Northeast 15th Street, and the existing left-turn lane at the Waldo Road intersection will be extended.
To minimize daytime traffic disruptions, all construction will take place at night, from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. During these hours, both eastbound and westbound lanes will be closed. The closures are expected to continue until November.
Detour routes are as follows:
- Eastbound traffic: Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 441/Northwest 13th Street will be detoured onto Northwest 39th Avenue, then to North Main Street and back to Northeast 53rd Avenue.
- Westbound traffic: Traffic will be detoured south on North Main Street to Northwest 39th Avenue, then to U.S. 441 and Northwest 13th Street.
As the project progresses, the detour route will change.
Drivers are urged to follow posted detour signs, use caution, remain alert, and maintain safe speeds when traveling through the area. Delays are expected, and motorists should plan accordingly.
“The paving of this busy corridor is being done at night to help prevent travel delays for the public during the daytime,” said Assistant Public Works Director Brian Kauffman. “It will also speed up the project timeline and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.”
Residents can track the progress of this and other projects under the county’s 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program by visiting the new Road Projects website and signing up for updates.
For more information, contact Alachua County Construction Inspection Superintendent Aaron Burke at 352-548-1240.
