Weather delays completion of street project

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo A project to resurface Second Street from Lowman to Heylman streets has been placed on hold due to weather and another project being done by the contractor. Crews plan to finish up work on the section of road starting next week.

A project to resurface Second Street from Lowman to Heylman streets is on hold due to weather.

Chad Brown, the city's street and traffic supervisor, said Friday the project, which began earlier this month, has been delayed due to rain and cooler temperatures in recent weeks. The approximately two-week project involves milling and asphalt overlay on that portion of Second Street.

"Because of the rain and stuff, it's held off," Brown said.

APAC, based in Garden City, Mo., is the contractor for the project and Brown said crews are trying to finish a job in Missouri this week and plan to finish up the Second Street project next week.

"It's been a little cool for asphalt," Brown said. "Temperatures are supposed to warm up next week and they'll try to finish it next week."

Brown said thus far, the section of road has been "milled off and compacted" and there are a few remaining steps before crews lay asphalt. He said the project involves "simple mill and overlay."

"They will cut it back out and get it down to grade, then finally lay asphalt," he said.

Signs have been placed on Second Street indicating the road is closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. Brown said the road can still be used by residents who live in the area. As for other motorists, the road is suitable for driving provided they use reasonable speeds, although the city discourages use of the road by other drivers while it is being worked on.

"We try to discourage through traffic," Brown said. "Any local traffic that lives there can drive on it. As long as they go slow, they won't hurt anything, but we discourage it."

Brown estimated it will take about two days to finish the project when crews start work again next week. He said the project was actually supposed to be completed as part of the 2014 city street program, but didn't get finished due to weather delays.

"We need to get it done," he said.

Brown said he is currently finishing up organization of planned work for the 2015 city street improvement program. He said the plan should be complete within the next week or so and ready for consideration by the Fort Scott City Commission during the May 5 meeting.

"The main plan for the summer is to address potholes," he said.

City Manager Dave Martin has said that one of the city's goals for 2015 is continued improvement of local streets, such as fixing potholes and intersections throughout the city.

Brown said projects in the 2015 street improvement program that are scheduled to be done, if approved by city commissioners, include fixing potholes, parking lots and some "off-street parking areas" in various parts of town.

Work will involve general improvements such as overlay, "taking out bad material and updating it," he said.

"Obviously, there are potholes all over the place," he said. "We'll be addressing some parking lots if they're approved and some off-street parking areas. There are a couple (off-street parking areas) on Second Street between National (Avenue) and Main (Street), and a couple on Third Street between National and Main and on Second between National and Judson (Street). There are also four or five intersections we'll be working on as well."

Brown said all of the main projects included in the 2014 street improvement program were completed except for the Second Street project because "the weather got too cold." He said all of the improvement projects in the annual city street program are done by city crews.