Somerset re-opens to car traffic

July 29, 2010

On July 29 Somerset street was reopened to vehicular traffic again.

Scaffolding is still up around the Royal Arch for the use of the Chinese artisans who will soon start applying the seventeen coats of paint to the concrete work.

Sidewalks are open again too, with new concrete and inlaid bricks. The lions and dragons at the base of the columns are temporarily covered with wooden crating to protect them from damage during the remaining construction period.

Somerset closed to car traffic

warning signs have been put up to advise motorists and buses that Somerset will be closed to permit construction of the arch

while the closure is only for one short block, it will disrupt traffic along much of Somerset

It will be closed for two months.

The warning signs on the west side have a similar message, but had to be positioned to warn through traffic without discouraging local traffic that can still access side streets and Chinatown businesses.