HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Temporary traffic pattern changes to North Mason Street will begin this morning (Monday) and will last for about a month. This is part of the Complete Streets Demonstration Project, which allows cities to test potential roadway changes before making those changes permanent at a later date.

The changes include a traffic to shift on North Mason Street to the two eastern lanes between Gay Street and Elizabeth Street and temporary roundabouts at Gay Street and Elizabeth Street.

Source: City of Harrisonburg

Signage will be in place in the area to assist drivers with changes.

Work will take place starting today until Wednesday, at 4:30 pm, as weather allows. During this time, Southbound North Mason Street will be closed from Gay Street to East Market Street. Northbound North Mason Street will be restricted to one lane between East Market Street and Gay Street.  Elizabeth Street will be closed between Federal Street and Broad Street. No turns off of Mason Street will be allowed. Wolfe Street will be closed between Federal Street and Broad Street. No turns off of Mason Street will be allowed.

Additional streets may be impacted throughout the project. Notices will be posted if the project is delayed due to weather.

Harrisonburg officials say these changes are taking place as part of a program focused on improving safety in the corridor and reusing space traditionally dedicated to vehicles. The changes are based on community input received through a public forum held in March and from participants in the Harrisonburg Complete Streets Leadership Academy, a program that brought community members and business leaders from the Northeast Neighborhood together with City staff and transportation experts to brainstorm ways to improve North Mason Street.