Recovery funds to jump start work on National

This sign has been placed on National Avenue near the Red Ram Motel which informs motorists that the resurfacing of National Avenue from Linker to Wall streets is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Another sign stands in front of the Fort Scott Public Library at National and 2nd Street. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

National Avenue will be getting a facelift in the next five years.

Work has begun this week on the resurfacing of National Avenue from Linker to Wall streets, a project that is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The $228,280 project is one of 77 projects totaling $34.7 million, including $4.5 million for 13 projects in the agency's Southeast Kansas District, to be completed by KDOT.

The project also includes the repair of curbs and sidewalks adjacent to the portion of National Avenue that will be resurfaced and will involve inspection and asphalt surfacing of that section of National Avenue and the reseeding of grassy areas near the street.

Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner informed Fort Scott City Commissioners Tuesday evening that he is planning to move the resurfacing of National Avenue from Wall to 6th streets up on the list in the five-year street improvement program.

Turner is planning to move the section of National Avenue from the list of projects to be completed in 2011 to a list of projects to be completed in 2010. The resurfacing project is expected to be completed next summer.

"It's cracked pretty severely," Turner said. "I think we need to get in there and take care of it as soon as possible so next year we won't have a lot of potholes."

To continue the improvements, Turner also announced there should be funding available through the federal government in 2013 which will allow National Avenue to be resurfaced from 6th to 13th streets. The funding would be available through the Safe Accountable Flexibility Efficiency Transportation Equity Act which allows federal funds to be passed to the state for transportation improvements, according to Turner.

Although the federal government has not yet voted to distribute the funds, the distribution is expected, Turner said.

"This is all depending upon having the funds appropriated, they're not appropriated now," he said. "There is a good chance we will get a grant for a portion of National from 6th Street to 13th Street."

Turner said there is no plans right now for the resurfacing of the remainder of National Avenue, however it could be included in the next five-year street improvement program.