Road work through downtown Greenville shouldn’t hamper next week’s Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, according to a spokesperson at the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The complete milling, resurfacing and striping of a two-mile section of Commerce St., part of Highway 10, is set to begin this week.

“Work will be done between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each evening, and we will not begin work on Dec. 9, the night of the parade, until all the festivities are over,” said Rebecca Leigh-White of ALDOT.

While the road will be rougher than usual due to cutting it down for the resurfacing, Leigh-White said all manholes would be prepared to prevent possible tripping by spectators or parade participants. The road will be narrowed somewhat, but plans by the Chamber should help alleviate that, said Francine Wasden, Chamber director.

“We will be clearing all vehicles off the streets at 5 p.m. the night of the parade. This will allow a clear path for our parade,” Wasden said. She said ALDOT would also loan barricades to the city to use for blocking off streets prior to the 6:30 p.m. event.

In spite of the construction, Wasden feels a good, safe time can still be had by all who attend and participate in the upcoming parade. “We will have the streets cleared and the barricade up. We will have all the beautiful lights being put up by Jennifer Stringer and her crew, and the lights of our floats and other parade entries, along with activities in the park we are still setting up. I think it’s going to be another great parade,” Wasden said.

According to Leigh-White, motorists on Commerce St. will still be able to travel on the stretch even during construction. “We will always keep one lane open and have a pilot vehicle on hand to guide motorists through. And every night the crew will re-mark parking spaces so people will know where to park,” Leigh-White said.

“Our goal is to get the work downtown done as quickly as possible with the least amount of disruption. Then we will move out to the four-lane.” The project is expected to take 30 days, weather permitting.