Russellville awards road bid to Wabash Valley

Thursday, March 22, 2018
Roads included in the Russellville Road Improvement Project

RUSSELLVILLE -- During a recent special meeting, the Russellville Town Council awarded the bid for its Road Improvement Project to Wabash Valley Asphalt Co., of Terre Haute, in the amount of $295,807.51.

A second bid for the project had come from Grady Brothers, of Indianapolis, at $375,521.80. The bids were reviewed by Ron Shephard, of HWC Engineering, and Town Attorney Stu Weliever.

The project will be funded by a $225,000 Community Crossings Grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

The roads included in the project are: Railroad Street (McKinley to Fordyce streets, Harrison to McKinley streets), Fordyce Street (First and Second to Third, McKinley), Second Street (Harrison to McKinley to Fordyce), Third Street (McKinley to Harrison, Fordyce to McKinley), Fourth Street (McKinley to Harrison), St. James Street (Railroad to Second) and Warren Street (Railroad to First).

During the recent regular meeting, Ron Shephard of HWC Engineering estimated work could begin in April or May. The council also approved using millings on alley ways and having an inspector to assess the work.

A pre-construction meeting to discuss the details of the project is to take place in the future.

In addition to the Road Improvement Project, the council is also considering a Stormwater Improvement Project.

The project would begin with a Stormwater Planning Study, which would be funded in part by a $35,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs (IOCRA).

The other part would be matching funds in the amount of $5,000, which would be used to pay Kristy Jerrell, of Jerrell Consulting and Grant Administration Service in Terre Haute, for helping the town through the grant application process.

A first public hearing would take place before the council approves submitting the grant application to IOCRA, and the town would know a month later if it received the grant. The grant is non-competitive, so if it meets all requirements the town is guaranteed to receive the funds.

The town would then advertise for and hire an engineer to perform the study, which would be a five- or six-month process. A final public hearing would take place before the council approves submitting the plan to IOCRA.

If the town decides to act on the study and perform construction, it can apply for a second grant to fund the project. The grant would be competitive, but would include repairs to roads destroyed during the stormwater work.

Although council members have received stormwater complaints and even have a few themselves, they are unsure whether the planning study would be cost effective.

“If our storm drains, the ones we need to replace, are only $10,000, then we’re wasting our money to spend half of that to do the study,” President Cary McGaughey said.

In answer to a question from Co-Street Superintendent Pat Clahan, Shephard said the town could do stormwater construction in phases to make the project more affordable.

The council reached no official decision.

In other news:

-- Claims: The council approved claims at a total of $8,791.78, a decrease from last month of $4,975.60. The year’s average is $11,368.70.

-- Flushing Utilities: Residents should be aware they may experience low water pressure while the town flushes utilities April 3.

-- Ford Explorer: The town will be selling a 2004 Ford Explorer, paper shredder and HP Photosmart 7760 printer on MrBidAuctions.com. Bids will be accepted Friday, March 23 to Friday, April 6. Items can be picked up April 7 at the Russellville Town Hall, 211 S. Harrison St. The Ford Explorer will be sold as-is. Town Marshal Matt Biggs said it needs brakes, rotors, some work on the exhaust and the transmission “slips a bit.”

-- Salt and Sand Spreader: The council is still seeking a used salt and sand spreader.

-- Water Tower Inspection: The council approved inspecting the water tower for $4,200.

The Russellville Town Council’s next regular meeting is set for April 16 at 7 p.m. in the Russellville Town Hall, 211 S. Harrison St.

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