Road projects, sidewalks, and Sportsplex: Elberta makes headway on multiple projects

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 6/2/20

ELBERTA - The Town of Elberta is no stranger to projects and town improvements. Council has voted to move forward on a number of town projects that citizens can expect to see underway in the near …

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Road projects, sidewalks, and Sportsplex: Elberta makes headway on multiple projects

Posted

ELBERTA - The Town of Elberta is no stranger to projects and town improvements. Council has voted to move forward on a number of town projects that citizens can expect to see underway in the near future.

ROAD PROJECTS

Council has voted to accept Arrington Curb & Excavation Inc.’s bid of $189,261.60 to begin multiple road projects throughout town. The original estimate was for approximately $192,000 and included Illinois Street, Chicago Street, and School Street. Projects for Dakota Street, Pine Street, and Oak Street were added at a later date, pushing the estimated cost closer to $225,000 for total projects.

“Arrington Curb & Excavation came in with a fantastic bid for this project,” said Alan Killen, civil engineer with Civil Southeast. “We’re getting the original project plus quite a bit more.”

Arrington Curb & Excavation have already prepared contracts for the project, moving the team ahead of schedule. Killen hopes a pre-construction meeting can be held mid-June, with paving beginning July 6.

SPORTSPLEX PROJECT

Work at the Sportsplex site is moving right along, with the dirt contractor expected to finish approximately the second week of June.

The next project will be to add irrigation to the site, and council voted to award the contract to Ultimate Landscapes for the project.

“The project will be to irrigate fields one through eight, which is all of the north parcel, or the grant money portion,” Killen said. “Then we’ll irrigate the first quadplex, which will host the high school softball fields. The only thing that’s not covered at this time is the second quadplex that is also not going to be fenced.”

The need to irrigate the fields was suggested by Mayor Jim Hamby previously in April. The council has had grass donated to them to be placed on the Sportsplex fields. Due to the shutdowns and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the grass has not yet been placed. Hamby fears if they were to place the grass now it would die due to the heat and dry season. Alternatively, if the council waited until October to place the grass, they would lose their chance of having the sod donated. Plans for an irrigation system were in place for the future, but with recent events council feels it best to move forward at this time.

The council has voted to reallocate $50,000, previously in place for a Splash Pad, and use it to instead install an irrigation system at the Sportsplex.

SIDEWALKS

Council has voted to move forward on a sidewalk project through town, which will be paid for using a TAP grant. The application is due July 1 in order to qualify.

“The final scope of work is going to be the north side of Highway 98 on the two missing blocks,” said Killen. “We’re going to focus on Alabama Street, the Civic Center area, and in front of the police department. Then Highway 83 south on both sides of the road, and then Illinois Street to Pine Street, and then Pine Street from Illinois to Chicago Street.”

The project on 83 south will include sidewalks, parking, and lighting. Killen said they plan to install landscaped islands, proper storm drainage, and angle parking. Once the project is complete, Killen hopes people can park off Highway 98 and walk through the downtown area with ease.

For more on Elberta, check out https://townofelberta.com.