City engineer reports on Sysco, railroad safety, Fifth Street Road projects, crosswalks and sewer work

[December 08, 2008]  Mark Mathon, Lincoln city engineer, presented the following six-month activity report to Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman and council members on Dec. 1 during the regular meeting of the council.

(The following text is a copy of the written report as submitted to LDN for publication.)

Sysco Infrastructure – Construction work on this project has been completed. Final pay estimates are being processed for payment and for submission to IDOT for reimbursement of eligible costs through the Economic Development Program.

Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements – The railroad crossing on north Logan Street is slated for a safety improvement that includes the addition of crossing gates to the signals under a project funded in an agreement by the Illinois Commerce Commission Grade Crossing Protection Fund, the City of Lincoln, and the Canadian National Railway.

Fifth Street Road – The construction plans being prepared by Hanson Professional Services for the Urban Section of the Fifth Street Road Project, which runs from Lincoln Parkway west to the Interstate, are over 50% complete. Remaining work includes intersection design details, storm sewer sizing, and finalization of required right of way.

Fifth Street Sanitary Sewer – Hanson Professional Services is continuing with plans for a sanitary sewer extension that will provide sewer access to properties along and adjacent to Fifth Street from the west end of Westminster Drive to near the Interstate. The City recently approved an agreement with Hanson for completing the sanitary sewer extension plans as a separate project from the roadway. Expected timeline for bidding and construction will be in early spring.

North Sherman Street Reconstruction – The North Sherman Street project, which included curb & gutter, drainage improvements, and asphalt surfacing, was completed. Additional work on the project performed by the Street Department included concrete driveway approaches and sidewalk work.

Pedestrian Safety – Pedestrian Crossing safety signs were installed at three mid-block crosswalks. One location received new reflective crosswalk striping; another location required the parking layout of the entire block to be redesigned to accommodate the new crossing.

Southplant Forcemain Replacement – The forcemain that runs from the Southplant lift station to the Wastewater Treatment Facility was replaced over the summer and fall. This project replaced a cast iron forcemain that had been in operation since the 1930's.

In addition to the written report, Mathon added that in regard to railroad safety, two crossing improvements have been completed recently on Kankakee and McLean streets.

[Report by Mark Mathon; Nila Smith of LDN]