How is construction progressing on Hornell's downtown streetscape project? See the latest.

Spring showers haven’t slowed Hornell’s downtown Streetscapes, Alleyways, Wayfinding and Public Art project.

Construction work that began with light snow on the ground in March has progressed right on schedule, remaking Main Street with new sidewalks and bump-outs at intersections, with more to come.

“Rain can set things back especially when you’re dealing with concrete, but they’re chugging along and making pretty good time out there,” said Mayor John Buckley, who has had a front row view of the work from city hall.

“They’ve had a lot of momentum in the last several weeks. You can certainly see that. It’s nice to actually see a portion of it largely complete because you get to see what the finished product looks like. It’s really a nice thing.”

Phase 1 of the project is largely complete, covering the south side of Main Street from the Burger King parking lot to the Broadway Mall, wrapping around the west side of Broadway.

CP Ward construction crews have moved on to Phase 2, jumping to the east side of Broadway and on to Main Street to Church Street. Phase 2 is expected to wrap up in late July.

Access to buildings in the path of construction will be maintained during the project. Buckley said one common question raised by residents is the fate of downtown’s tree canopy. Existing trees were removed prior to construction. Replacements will be planted in the fall to maximize their chances of survival.

The $2.9 million streetscape project is part of Hornell’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The project aims to beautify the downtown area and make it more accessible through sidewalk replacement, additional electric, public art installation, the addition of benches, lighting enhancements and tree plantings.

“It’s more than a refresh. It eliminates the trip hazards,” said Buckley. “If you walk the corridor now in the areas that haven’t been worked on, there’s still a lot of trip hazards and unevenness with the heaving of the concrete over the decades. It really eliminates that. It will make downtown more walkable, more pedestrian-friendly, more conducive to doing business. It’s really table setting for the future.”

The city said Phase 3, scheduled from July 25 to Oct. 8, covers from Broadway to Center Street on the south side of Main Street. Phase 4, from Oct. 9 to Dec. 24, covers the north side of Main Street from Church Street just past Hakes Avenue.

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Buckley said improvements to James Street Park are also “moving right along.”

“There’s a lot of construction right now,” said the mayor. “I can’t for it all to be wrapped and so we can see and enjoy the finished product.”

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell downtown construction update: Streetscape project in Phase 2