Franklin begins work on largest construction project ever

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) – Crews are set to start work on the first phase of the Jefferson Street Construction project in Franklin on Monday.

The first phase will shut down Jefferson Street from North Main Street to the Admiral gas station, which is in between Walnut and Jackson Streets. The Main Street intersection will stay open until the last two weeks of the first phase.

City leaders hope to have phase 1 complete by Thanksgiving or early December. Phase two is scheduled for spring of 2017. The entire project, which includes 9 phases, should be finished in 2019.

The $20 million project is aimed at revitalizing downtown Franklin. The project will reconstruct Jefferson Street, the main drag throughout the city of Franklin.

The city will build a new road, add new sidewalks, new street lights, new benches and more. Mayor Joe McGuinness told 24-Hour News 8 that everything along Jefferson Street will be brand new.

The city of Franklin has grown quickly over the past few years with new businesses moving in. That means more people and more traffic, and it’s why both the mayor and some people who live in Franklin say Jefferson Street needs to be rebuilt.

“This is arguably the most critical and no doubt the largest the city has ever seen,” said McGuiness.

Some people who live in Franklin said the city’s infrastructure hasn’t kept up with Franklin’s growth.

“They have done a lot of work to the buildings and restored them, painted them…but the roads don’t reflect the buidlings. The main street through town needs a lot of work,” said Stacey Ratliff.

The city of Franklin will be posting updates about the project on social media. You can find the updates here.