Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Beginning Monday, Hunter Avenue, located in front of the Newton County Judicial Center, will temporarily become a one-way street.

Traffic will flow southbound, toward the Newton County Historic Courthouse, between the Stallings and Usher street intersections.

The change is due to the impending construction of a new secure parking area for Judicial Center personnel.

The project will require the temporary blocking of the driveway on the north side of the Judicial Center, making existing handicap parking unavailable.

Consequently, the county will create four handicap parallel parking spaces on the east side of Hunter Avenue, along with a striped access aisle that will connect to a crosswalk aligned with handicap ramp at the Judicial Center entrance. Three parking spaces for law enforcement personnel will also be added.

"While we're constructing a parking lot next to the Judicial Center, we have to add parking on the street and we need to make it one way so the traffic will flow properly," said County Engineer Kevin Walter.

Newton County will install the striping and necessary signage without cost to the city.

Walter said the one-way designation could be in place for up to six months.

The new 20-space secure parking area will give judges and other personnel a safe way to enter and exit the Judicial Center, as well as provide a place to unload juvenile and high-risk prisoners. In addition, walkways and lighting will be added for better public access.

Sunbelt Builders was awarded the contract at a cost of $228,972.10.

Crystal Tatum can be reached at crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com.