Nifong Boulevard sidewalk improvements to start Wednesday

Drivers and pedestrians will see more changes on Nifong Boulevard near Sinclair Road starting Wednesday.

Columbia Public Works hired crews from Cook Conrete to make upgrades to the road and crosswalk at Nifong Boulevard and Woods Edge Road.

The project includes crews replacing asphalt shoulders with concrete and adding a pedestrian island with flashing beacons, or lights, in the road.

The area is near an elementary school and future middle school. The improvements will make it safer for students to walk to class.

Crews said construction should be completed by Aug. 13, which is one day before Columbia Public Schools start classes. Striping in the area is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 20, weather permitting.

The work is a part of the Nifong Intersections Improvement project approved by City Council in October 2017. The total cost of the project is about $2.45 million.

Crews have not said if any lanes of Nifong Blvd. will close for the pedestrian improvement work, but drivers and pedestrians are asked to use caution in the area.