Elm Street construction plans progress

[MAY 12, 2005]  Reconstruction of Lincoln's south-side Elm Street will begin soon. This and other street projects have been put on hold since 2001. Improved economics and an increase in a telecommunications/infrastructure tax have enabled the city to resume the projects that were cut from the past budgets. Elm Street is the first. The work will take place on South Elm between Fifth and Kickapoo streets.

The Zipper, a new machine that the city will be purchasing, will pulverize the old pavement. Storm drainage will be cleaned and the street will be realigned.

City engineer Mark Mathon and sewers manager Grant Eaton supervised the project plans.

Paul Donath of South Elm expressed concern over potential damage to homeowners' sewer lines. He cited that some of the large trees that will be removed during the project have extensive roots that could damage aged sewer tiles. The sewer was laid in 1954.

Eaton said that those details have been worked out. The company doing the work has agreed to cover damage from the process.

Mary Conrady from CEFCU was present to ask about the start of the project. CEFCU access will be influenced during the process.

Mark Mathon said that he expects to begin June 1.

The new road will be cleaner with a wider, straighter asphalt bed. It will be 30 feet wide curb to curb.

The amount of $500,000 was budgeted for the project.

Bids were opened during the workshop meeting Tuesday evening, but no action was taken in an adjourned meeting that was set to accept a bid. Council members decided they need time to review the bids more thoroughly.

Three sealed bids were opened:

• P.H. Boughton and Sons, Springfield
  Entire improvements: $602,662.12
  Asphalt: $86,335.50

• Illinois Valley Paving, Springfield
  Entire improvements: $561,500.44
  Asphalt: $86,570.84 plus sales tax

• Merrills Construction, Springfield
  Entire improvements: $627,378.27
  Asphalt: $83,269.54

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