The construction zone you might have noticed on the east side of Rideout Road near Gate 9 is the second phase of improvements for the secure section of the enhanced use lease development called Redstone Gateway.
The new project – on the north side of the secure parcel – includes the extension of Goss Road from the Links golf course to the already completed roundabout at Secured Gateway, according to Jake Roth, chief of master planning with the Garrison’s Directorate of Public Works. He said the project will allow drivers traveling from Gate 9 to Goss Road to use the traffic light at Secured Gateway to cross Rideout Road and get on Goss Road. “It eliminates the U-turn” on Rideout Road south of Gate 9.
The change makes the drive from Gate 9 to Goss Road “safer and more convenient,” Roth said.
He noted that the Goss Road work is a small piece of the overall City of Huntsville project, which includes mass grading and utility and infrastructure work for future construction of private leased buildings within Redstone Gateway.
Alan Clements, a project engineer for the City of Huntsville’s Engineering Division, said the contractor is now completing the mass grading of the approximately 60-acre site directly north of the existing Secured Gateway development for future development in addition to constructing the realigned section of Goss Road.
“The contractor is hoping to have the realigned Goss Road construction complete by late spring/early summer dependent upon weather and favorable working conditions,” Clements said. “The contract completion date is Aug. 16, 2024, and that will include the completion of the remaining utilities, landscaping, irrigation and site restoration.”
The new roadway extension will be a two-lane roadway configuration to match the existing roadway, according to Clements.
“Ninety percent of the project activity is on property that is leased to the developer,” COPT Defense Properties and Jim Wilson & Associates, Roth said. “Our partnership with the developer affords us the opportunity to work together to bring about infrastructure changes in support of the Army and in the interest of both parties.
“During design of the infrastructure project for Redstone Gateway, we were able to communicate the Army desires and work together to include that work in the initial project, saving money and time in order to get to the final solution faster.”
Last year, the Huntsville City Council authorized Mayor Tommy Battle to enter a contract of more than $5.8 million between the city and the low bidder, SJ&L General Contractor, for the work, according the minutes of the council’s July 27 meeting. The improvements will be paid for by Tax Increment Financing District 5.
According to the
city’s website, property taxes will be collected on the development within the district, in which the EUL is located, to repay the city’s investment. The city created the district in 2010 in direct support of funds for the infrastructure at Redstone Gateway.
“This strategy has paid dividends for the Army and COPT Defense Properties and Jim Wilson & Associates, and we are appreciative of the relationships built and proud of the progress being completed at Redstone Gateway,” Roth said.
“During the changeover from the existing roadway configuration to the proposed configuration, there will be mild traffic interruptions for paving equipment tie-ins,” Clements said, “but the majority of the traffic handling will be facilitated via a temporary road section that will allow for the new road construction to continue while Goss Road traffic is maintained to Rideout Road.”
Social Sharing