GLOBE — The long-anticipated reconstruction of Monroe Street officially kicked off Tuesday, July 15, marking a key step in the City of Globe’s ongoing infrastructure improvements.
During construction, Monroe Street will be closed at Seventh Street, meaning local traffic will need to follow marked detours. Visitors to the Gila County Courthouse must now reach the courthouse via U.S. Highway 60 and South Street.
The project is expected to take two to three months, depending on weather and site conditions. According to the city, this work will improve aging underground utilities and upgrade road surfaces that have needed major repairs for years.
“We understand this project will cause some short-term inconvenience, but in the long run, it will make travel in and out of the downtown area safer and smoother for everyone,” said a city spokesperson in Monday’s announcement.
For the first month of work, the main courthouse parking lot will stay open to the public. After that, only ADA-accessible parking spaces in front of the courthouse and secure employee parking in the gated area will remain available. All other courthouse parking will move to the east parking lot next to South Street.
Other nearby offices — including the Sheriff’s Office Administration and Human Resources Department — will keep their lots open for staff throughout the project. The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) lot will also remain accessible to DES employees and visitors only.
Local businesses and residents near Monroe Street are being asked to plan ahead for detours and temporary lane closures.
“We encourage everyone to slow down, follow posted signs, and use alternate routes whenever possible,” said the Globe Public Works Department in a notice to drivers. “This helps keep our crews safe and keeps the project moving on schedule.”
Local leaders say the end result will be a safer intersection at Yellowstone Road and better traffic flow for Copper Trails Subdivision residents, who rely on North Main and Monroe Street as key routes.
For questions about detours, parking, or how the project may affect local business access, residents can contact the city’s Public Works Department directly at [insert local contact info here] during regular business hours.
Originally reported by Gila herald.