The upcoming construction projects this summer promises to impact everyone in the Garretson community. Whether it’s a route into town, the businesses along Main Avenue, or water or sewer interruptions, everyone will experience it.
This project has been five years in the making, and while it has had its delays (the Third Street project was to occur last summer, and the summer before), the City now has all the plans in hand and will be putting out notices for bids once the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources gives the go-ahead for the project plans, expected to occur before the beginning of February.
On Third Street, everything east of Rose Street to 486th Avenue (the Valley Springs Road) will be replaced with pavement and curb and gutter only, as the water and sewer pipes there were replaced with PVC not too long ago. The rest of the street, from Rose Street and west to Depot Ave, will have water, sewer, pavement, and curb and gutter replaced. When asked if anything could be saved, City Maintenance Officer Nussbaum replied, “The road is shot all the way.” This is also one of the main areas for water to come into town from the water tower, so this will help with pressure issues. Despite the headache of construction, having new water and sewer that can keep up with demand and not contain rust will be a big relief to many citizens.
The second main construction project occurring this summer is a water and sewer replacement on Main Avenue. This construction will not begin until after Jesse James Days, so likely the first part of July. This will also mean new sidewalks, streetlamps, and pavement on Main from 2nd Street to 4th Street.
The third main construction project will be the Truck Route, which is Railroad and Depot Avenues from Dows Street to Essex and Essex to 1st Street. This route will also be receiving new water and sewer, and full curb and gutter.
Then last, but not least, Dows Street will be under a bit of construction as well while a sidewalk is placed from Lacy Avenue to Main Avenue.
This does mean there will be some headaches this summer for residents, while everyone tries to navigate the construction and road closures. We will do our best at the Gazette to keep everyone informed, and the City will do its part as well. Not all of the construction will be happening at once. It will have to occur in sections and stages, in order to keep water and sewer interruptions to a minimum. However, this does lengthen the project timeline quite a bit- from start to finish, it could be as long as eight months of actual construction, plus time halted for weather as necessary.
After these main projects, though, the worst of the construction is over. The City will be talking further about smaller areas that will need sewer and water replacement within the next ten years, but nothing on such as scale as this project.
See the related story on the City Council's last meeting on Page 2 of the on-line issue.
