It’s pedal to the metal on road repairs

City to spend as much at $1.5 million again in 2013

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

After borrowing in the neighborhood of $3 million to pursue much-needed road reconstruction this year, the City of Burlington is moving into the second phase of the project in 2013.

The City Council approved a task order award of $137,602 to Kapur and Associates Tuesday night at the Common Council meeting for Kapur to provide the engineering work for the 2013 street and utility improvement work.

Mayor Bob Miller expects the city to spend anywhere from another $1.2 to $1.5 million in 2013 – in addition to the $1.3 million spent this year, “depending how the bids come in.”

Miller said, because of the economy, it makes sense to borrow the money and do the work now.

“Money right now, for us to borrow, is extremely inexpensive,” said Miller. “Secondly, the city has only been spending $500,000 a year on road repair, and that’s not even keeping us even.

“Now is the optimal time to borrow the money and get the roads done,” he added. “So we can stop playing catch-up.”

The city will be resurfacing Beloit Street from Sunset Drive to McHenry Street, West and East Chandler Boulevards (from Randolph to South Kane streets on the West and from South Kane to Edward streets on the East), James Street from Lewis to West Chestnut, Teutonia Drive from West Chestnut to the end of the cul-de-sac and Johnson Street from Milwaukee Avenue to Washington Street.

The city will also put in 3-inch water main relays on James and Johnson streets, and construct a new parking lot for the fire department on West Washington, plus seal coat Bridge Street from South Pine to Jefferson.

While the work is extensive and will cost a fair amount, Miller does not expect anywhere near the same level of disruption as this year’s work on Milwaukee Avenue.

“Not to the extent Milwaukee Avenue did, no,” said Miller.