The city of Columbiana will mark a huge milestone in the progress of its $1.8 million downtown renovation project this Saturday … all blocked streets in connection with the renovation project will open at 9 a.m.

Mayor Allan Lowe said he gave the order in a press release to the news media Tuesday morning.

Gresham, Smith & Partners is the architectural firm, which designed the project, and R.E. Grills Construction Company is the contractor.

The opening of streets will mark the first time no detours will be required since streets were blocked in January at the intersection of College Street and Main Street.

The project which began last year has a 200 working day total completion deadline.

The downtown renovation project includes hundreds of brick pavers at the intersection of College and Main Street, new wide sidewalks to accommodate foot traffic and serve as an extension of display area for merchants, guard rails,

ornamental traffic light poles and street lights.

Lowe noted however that on Monday, March 22 a small section of the Highway 47 bypass will be closed by the Old Courthouse to begin work on the traffic circle