Street project nearing (09/21/07)

An updated cost estimate for a major Portland street reconstruction project was reviewed by a local board on Thursday.

A project coordination contract for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project was approved by members of the Portland Board of Works. The contract states that the project likely will cost $6,558,055.

The contract spells out the costs and responsibilities of the city and the Indiana Department of Transportation. INDOT is funding up to 80 percent of the project through a grant.

The contract states that INDOT will pay no more than $5,166,647. The city will be responsible for the rest of the funding. Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said after Thursday's meeting that the city currently has $1,025,000 in utility, street department and cumulative capital improvement and development funds set aside to help pay for the project.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said this morning that the utility, street and cumulative funds will continue to build and can be used to pay for the project. Hosier said he is confident that enough funds will be available for the city's share of the project.

The city originally was awarded $3.6 million by INDOT to help fund the project. Last year, officials with Bonar Group, the company doing the engineering work for the project, asked INDOT officials for more money for the project. INDOT agreed, Hosier said.

The grant was awarded to the city in 1998. The funds earmarked for the project have been placed into an account until needed.

Board member Dolphus Stephens asked how soon construction would begin.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said construction could start 90 days after bid-letting.

Bob McCreery, another board member, noted that the project has been in the works for about 10 years. It was first proposed during the administration of former mayor Maxine Lewis. Her term ran from 1993 to 2000.

The Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project has been delayed for several years because of issues with acquiring right-of-ways needed for the project. The last right-of-way issues were resolved this year.

The project includes extensive sewer and storm drain work, the creation of new curbs and sidewalks and the installation of streetlights. The sanitary and storm sewers will be separated, water mains will be replaced and new driveway approaches will be created.

The street and sewer project is expected to improve safety, aesthetics and drainage along Wayne Street and Boundary Pike.[[In-content Ad]]