New streetlights in downtown Beaufort will be installed over the next 90 days, with construction expected to start next week, Beaufort leaders said.

“Our goal is to install the new street lamps with as little disruption as possible to our downtown businesses, the residents who visit those shops, and our visitors,” Beaufort City Manager Scott Dadson said.

“This is another part of our effort to ensure that Beaufort remains one of the country’s most walkable towns. The new street lamps will look good, but more importantly, they’ll provide ample light for safety,” he said. The streetlamp project is budgeted at $455,000 including materials and labor.

The ongoing installation of upgraded traffic signals along Charles Street will continue in conjunction with the new street lights. The city and its partners will work to minimize traffic disruptions and delays.

Last week, utility companies were in the process of locating and marking water lines, power lines and other utilities prior to the start of the streetlight installation this week by contractor Joco Construction.

When work starts, crews will begin by cutting up the sidewalks where needed, cutting approximately 18 inches from the back of the curb line. This method will allow the public to have access to all of the street-front businesses, said Lamar Taylor, assistant public works director for the City of Beaufort.

The first phase of work will begin on Bay Street on the south side beginning from Carteret Street west to Charles Street, then to the north side of Bay Street to reverse the process. This phase should take approximately eight weeks. The work along the interior streets of Port Republic, West, Scott, Craven, Carteret and Charles will take up the remainder of the construction schedule with work anticipated to be done before Memorial Day.

Information signs will be posted throughout the work area by Main Street Beaufort USA. Parking and construction work zones will be coordinated by Lanier Parking.

“As part of this project, we will do a daily inspection by city staff and engineers from Ward Edwards Engineering to ensure the project’s safety and that merchants continue to have access to their businesses,” Taylor said. “We will be very visible as this project unfolds.”