The South Street Reconstruction Project is giving South Street a major upgrade to make it safer and more welcoming for everyone who drives, walks, or bikes. When finished, the new South Street will include sidewalks on the east side, narrower travel lanes to help slow traffic, bike lanes that are five feet wide, and two new mid-block pedestrian crossings.
Work started in April 2025 with the removal of old sewer and storm drain infrastructure. Over the summer, crews installed new pipes and structures to improve stormwater and wastewater management.
After that, the contractor rebuilt the road from the ground up—removing old materials, adding new base layers, and paving the first of three asphalt layers. New granite curbing has been installed, and preparations are underway for a new sidewalk on the east side.
This sidewalk will make it easier and safer for people walking to Williams College buildings, and The Clark Art Institute. New flashing crosswalk beacons have also been added to improve pedestrian visibility.
Recently, crews finished the second layer of pavement, raised drainage structures to their final height, and began adding loam along the roadside.
The final paving layer is happening today, November 7, 2025!
Next up is road striping (if weather allows). If cold and wet weather arrives first, striping will take place in the spring.
Once the final paving, sidewalk, and cleanup are complete—expected before winter—South Street will reopen to two-lane traffic. Driveway aprons will also be paved to provide smooth connections between private driveways and public roadway.