Despite the state government shutdown halting many road construction projects, the digging continues on North Main Street in Austin.

North Main is closed between Oakland Avenue and the south right-of-way line of First Avenue. It is tentatively scheduled to re-open during the second week of August, according to City Engineer Jon Erichson.

The construction is phase two of the city’s Main Street reconstruction project.

“We’re putting in new storm sewer, new water main, electrical upgrades, sanitary sewer upgrades and replacing the road,” Erichson said. “There’s street lighting and new conduit for future electrical to be in place.”

The project has four phases total. Phase three will include the south right of way line from First Avenue to the south right of way line of Second Avenue. Erichson said the final phase is the block in front of Wells Fargo and Brick Furniture, and that is set to begin Sept. 1.

“Each phase will be open to traffic before we start the next phase,” Erichson said. “Phases three and four could actually go on at the same time depending on the status of the flood control project.”

Construction relating to the city’s flood mitigation project is being done in the alley between the swimming pool and Brick Furniture. The status of that project could affect the start date of phase four of Main Street reconstruction.

Road work closes Woodson Friday

Woodson Kindergarten Center activities will be closed Friday as road construction issues arose Thursday. There were a few problems that caused the school to be without water, according to John Alberts, Austin Public Schools educational director.

“They ran into a little bit of an issue so there’s no water today,” he said.

Water is expected to be turned on and the school should be up and running Monday.