Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, May 20, 2014
(BEDFORD) - There are several construction sites in Bedford that could hamper motorists.
Bedford Project Manager Dan Kirk says projects range from repairing sewer line breaks to installing sidewalks to repaving streets.
On Lincoln Avenue in the area of Sixth and Seventh Street employees are doing a three-part project to improve the city's storm drainage system. Tri-County Builders is refurbishing the U Street channel and improving drains near Eastern and Western avenues. It will take about two months to finish the work on Lincoln avenue.
The Indiana Department of Transportation will "peel and pave" Fifth Street from State Road 37 through the city to just past Rocky Creek East beginning in June. Crews will peel off the top layers of asphalt then lay down new pavement. But first other improvements will be done, like repairing and creating sidewalks. Dave O'Mara Contractor Inc., of North Vernon, will complete the work by early August.
Originally, INDOT planned to keep at least one lane of Fifth Street open throughout the project. But Kirk says that has changed and the road will be closed to do repairs to remove some of the railroad tracks that cross Fifth Street between K and L streets.
Kirk says that one set of tracks will be left to keep the existing rail loop intact which the White River Port Authority owns.
Work will also be done to the water and storm sewer lines in the area.
Vectren will also be replacing natural gas lines in the city.
According to Vectren, the company is investing nearly $1.2 million to retire more than two miles of gas main and approximately 200 service lines in 2014. The work will affect parts of 11th Street, O Street, P Street, Q Street, R Street. S Street, T Street, 16th Street, 17th Street, 18th Street, M Street and N Street.
A plastic system is being installed to replace the bare steel and cast iron gas pipeline system. First, the gas main, which ranges in size from 2 inches to 8 inches and is often under the street or sidewalk, will be replaced.
Then service lines running directly to homes and businesses will be replaced. When the work is done, damaged yards, sidewalks and streets will be restored.
The city plans in June to install sidewalks and street lights along John Williams Boulevard. The idea is to extend a sidewalk along the north side of John Williams Boulevard from Lincoln Avenue west to the stoplight at Wal-Mart. A pedestrian light and crossing will be installed there, with the sidewalk continuing to the south side of John Williams Boulevard to Becky Skillman Way.
The city, along with county employees, will be paving Mount Pleasant Road. The county will be responsible for the largest part of the project with Bedford will taking care of a stretch within the city limits.
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