16th Street Construction Updates (updated 7/21)

We are moving to a weekly update to keep you informed of project progress. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance safety, walkability, and long-term infrastructure along this important corridor.

Work Completed & In Progress

  • Traffic signals have been removed or bagged. Intersections are now all-way stops to ensure traffic and pedestrian safety.
  • Sidewalk and curb/gutter removal and replacement is in progress on the north side of 16th Street. Side walk prep and concrete pours are underway.
  • Concrete road pours are happening between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Upcoming Work

  • Sidewalk work on the north side of 16th Street will continue.
  • Tree removal, including trees within the UNC campus, is scheduled to begin this week. Please see below for more information.

Project Timeline

  • The north side of 16th Street is on track for completion by the end of August 2025.
  • Construction will then shift to the south side of the street, with work wrapping up in Fall 2025.
  • Final landscaping and public art installations will occur in Spring 2026, once weather and planting conditions allow.

Tree Removal

Starting this week, 23 trees are being removed along the 16th Street corridor on both sides of the road. The tree in front of Margie's will remain in place. This work is necessary to allow for sidewalk widening and infrastructure upgrades that support safer travel for pedestrians and cyclists — especially important in such an urban corridor between campus and downtown.

While this change may feel difficult, it is part of a thoughtfully planned project that balances safety, accessibility and long-term aesthetics. The good news is that the area will not remain bare. In Spring 2026, the area will be replanted with a mix of new trees, ornamental grasses and colorful perennials. There will be a total of 43 trees planted along the 16th Street corridor, compared to the 23 trees that we are removing along the roadway. These enhancements are designed to enrich the area — creating a welcoming, walkable environment. Additionally, the removed trees along the UNC side will be repurposed into mulch and returned to UNC for use in campus garden beds and landscaped areas, supporting sustainability and ongoing campus care.

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