Concrete paving project in Beatrice, going well

BEATRICE – A major paving project being on Fourth and Lincoln Streets in Beatrice this summer stands a good chance of being completed ahead of schedule.
One block of asphalt on North Fourth and one block of asphalt on Lincoln Street are being converted to concrete.

City Engineer James Burroughs says the contractor, R.L. Tiemann Construction poured the Lincoln Street block this week and was focusing on concrete installation at 4th and Lincoln, on Wednesday.

"Our goal is by Tuesday, to maybe open that section up for local residents to be able to get to their drives because that's where most of the driveways are, along the street. So, that way, they can get access a little bit quicker. I'm assuming we will move down to Fourth Street probably the week after. So, we're hoping in about two weeks we'll have that project wrapped up and opened to traffic."

The work has required some residents to park north of the site while the construction goes on. Burroughs says the base of the roadway is in better shape than expected.

"They did a good job with the pour...and so far, the base material has actually been better than anticipated, so we're hoping to save a few dollars there....we'll see what Fourth Street looks like, here."  The original completion date was the end of July.

Burroughs told the Beatrice Board of Public Works Wednesday some asphalt projects will be done by a private contractor later this summer…including part of Prairie Avenue….an alley on Garfield between Tenth and Eleventh, and on a small part of East Sargent Street in connection with a new business development…just east of U.S. Highway 77. The private contractor will be doing the work in mid-July.

Beatrice Water Superintendent Steve Kelley says part of the concrete on Grant Street is being replaced while the concrete street project has closed that area. There was a major water main break there in 2008, and part of the street has since settled, creating some cracking.

The water department earlier completed a main replacement on West Mary and Cedar Streets and plans to start a project in July on North 18th Street.
Asphalt rejuvenation projects will also take place next month. Burroughs says replacement of a privately-installed sewer line near 14th and Lincoln is about three-quarters finished.