The intersection of College Street and Main Street in downtown Columbiana is closed to help expedite downtown renovation.

After Columbiana residents awoke Monday, Jan. 5 to find that the intersection had not been closed as expected due to bad weather, the intersection was closed with detour signs in place by Tuesday morning.

According to Mayor Allan Lowe, the hold up was due to the weather.

Lowe previously decided to close the intersection on Jan. 5 so that work on downtown renovation could continue.

However, he said the closing of the intersection was always contingent on the weather.

&uot;If construction had started with the rain present, then a horrible mess would be right in the middle of downtown,&uot; said Lowe.

Lowe anticipated the intersection to be closed the next day, Jan. 6, unless rain held up construction again.

&uot;There is no sense in closing that intersection where there is no construction under way,&uot; he said.

Lowe said Alabama Barricade had already erected detour signs, but they remained covered until the intersection is closed.

Look for downtown renovation updates in coming issues of the Reporter