Shawmont Avenue Closed Through Sept. 2

Ongoing activity will close a street in Shawmont for the next two weeks, the Philadelphia Water Department said in a news release.

The installation of a 300-foot section of a storm sewer will close Shawmont Avenue through Sept. 2 from from Eva to Minerva streets, according to a news release. The road exists as a link from Upper Roxborough to Manayunk, so motorists should plan for other routes when traveling between the areas near Umbria Street.

According to the water department, the work intends to provide storm water flood relief in the hilly and largely undeveloped neighborhood. This work is part of a larger plan that "also entails work along Summit Avenue and Eva Streets to reduce flooding to properties along Eva Street and residents who live adjacent to Green Tree run on Shawmont Avenue."

Vehicle traffic will be reduced to only residents who live along Shawmont Avenue—local traffic only. The water department also guaranteed that contractors will make sure trash pick up, mail and other deliveries and emergency vehicles continue without interruption.  

Located close to , the renovation will continue during weekends and possibly at night. The water department wanted to complete the project prior to the first day of school "during the summer when traffic is lighter."

Detours will be posted.

This continues a busy time for the Shawmont Valley, where residents say and the Roxborough Review reported that work has commenced on a construction project at Blair Meadow II. Check back with Patch for more info on that story.