Market Street nears long-awaited reopening
This was the scene on Market Street in Historic Downtown Clinton on Saturday. The street is being prepared for repaving this week, as the extensive upgrade project prepares to come to an end. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Market Street was being prepared for repaving, as were some of the adjacent and connecting streets.
A worker on the scene Tuesday morning said the crew was hoping to get the paving done overnight on Tuesday night to minimize disruption to businesses.
On Monday, all of the streets making up the historic area were mostly shut down to vehicles, including Market, Main, Commerce, Cullom and Freddie Fagan Way.
Repaving is the last big portion of the $9.9 million project that began in February 2025, and was expected to last for about 17 months, in the historic area of downtown Clinton. The project includes new water and sewer lines, along with the new sidewalks and landscaping.
The sidewalk work is nearly completed, resulting in new sidewalks on Market Street and the pedestrian walkway from Commerce to Market streets, now being called Pearl Alley. But traffic was blocked completely on Commerce on Monday as the final work was being done on the connection of Pearl Alley to the street.
That walkway will serve as a pedestrian entrance to Market Street from the Commerce Street parking lot, coming out on Market Street next to Burrville Antiques.
New lamp posts and planters were installed all along Market Street, and trees have now been planted, according to social media posts by Historic Downtown Clinton.
“We can’t stop talking about our new trees and plants downtown!” a Facebook post proclaimed last week. “Each tree was intentionally selected by landscaper Hedstrom to carefully enhance the downtown experience.
“Shumard oaks and willow oaks develop broad canopies that provide shade for pedestrians, outdoor dining areas and parked cars (yup, there’s still parking on Market Street). They [complement] historic architecture and create an inviting streetscape.
“Forest pansy redbuds offer striking fall foliage and vibrant spring blooms, adding seasonal interest and color. All three species are native or well-adapted to the [Southeast] and reflect the natural heritage of the region,” the post said.
Clinton City Manager Roger Houck said the goal was to have Market Street repaved and reopened to traffic by July 1, which is quickly approaching.
Main Street continues to be shut down to traffic in sections as workers install about 35 sewer lines – called laterals – from businesses along the street to the new main sewer line in the middle of Main Street.
Downtown merchants continue to remain optimistic about their businesses and the future as work gets closer to completion on Market Street, which has been closed to traffic since March 2025.
