Council sets 2007 street construction projects
Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer
This summer's street reconstruction projects were among the major discussion items at the New Prague City Council's Monday meeting. Following a lengthy discussion, the council accepted a feasibility study and ordered a public hearing for the work.
Doug Parrott of Short Elliott Hendrickson (S.E.H.), Inc., presented the plans for the streets to be worked on. They include two cul-de-sacs, Liberty Lane and Gooseberry Lane, and Lexington Avenue NE from Second Street NE to Scott County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 37 (Seventh Street NE).
Parrott said drain tiles will be installed to help preserve the streets. The streets will also be allowed to go through a freeze and thaw period before the final layer of asphalt is applied, in case any problems come up.
Parrott said Liberty Lane was built between 1987-88, Gooseberry Lane from 1973-74 and Lexington Avenue was done in two stages, Second Street to Fifth Street was built in the 1960s and from Fifth Avenue to CSAH 37 was done in the 1980s. Since the streets were still relatively new, only the utilities, such as the water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewers, in the most need of repair will be done.
Along Lexington Avenue, from Second Street to Fifth Street, all the utilities will be done. From Fifth Street on, only some storm sewer inlets and one spot on the sanitary sewer will be improved. No utility work on Liberty Lane will be undertaken and Gooseberry Lane will only have three spots updated.
Lexington Avenue will also be strengthened a little, since it is more heavily traveled.
The total estimated cost for the project is $1.2 million.
Sidewalk approved
Parrott asked the council whether it wanted to install sidewalks along Lexington Avenue, since the road was being reconstructed. The estimated cost for the work is $32,558.
Councilmember Kay Wilcox said if the city wanted to have sidewalks there, now was the time. She said during a neighborhood meeting for the work, there were a few residents who voiced opposition.
What I sensed at the neighborhood meeting is they don't want (sidewalks)
