South Broadway reopens later than expected from overnight quadrant work
New Philadelphia (WJER) (Nov. 21, 2025) – City officials say “a snag” resulted in the delay to reopen South Broadway downtown near the courthouse square this morning.
Crews closed the road at about 9 p.m. Thursday for waterline work as part of the project to revamp the four quadrants.
City Service Director Ron McAbier says the goal was to have the road back open by 4 a.m. this morning, but it didn’t fully reopen until around 10 a.m. because of a series of delays. He says crews unexpectedly came across what they initially thought were gas lines – which were later determined to be old steam lines that had to be moved. A valve also had to be replaced.
Water service was also shut off for about a block in each direction of the intersection during a portion of the overnight work. The delayed opening of the roadway did impact some businesses. The Daily Grind Café announced on Facebook it wouldn’t be opening as usual at 6 a.m. today.
McAbier says crews on the redesign project next turn their attention to the northwest quadrant, which is blocked off by orange barrels and fencing. The entire $2.9 million dollar grant-funded project is supposed to be done by next fall.
McAbier says there’s nothing immediate planned that will impact traffic again. He says the city will notify the public through the media and Facebook when that’s about to change.