New street plan in place, for the City of Beatrice

BEATRICE – The City of Beatrice has a new short and longer-term street plan, including some high-dollar projects in the coming years, associated with major corridor work along Lincoln and Court Streets.

It also includes a first-year project of redoing Ella Street near the Gage County Museum….from Second to Third Streets.
"Which is an eight-inch concrete reconstruction project, which would include new ADA ramps, new parking stalls. We had looked at starting Ella Street further up the hill between Fifth and Sixth, but because of the storm sewer system we have to account for, we have to start downhill and work up."

City Engineer James Burroughs says the brick on that section of the street will not be replaced, due to the higher cost. A major year-one project is on Lincoln Street in the area of the new elementary school being constructed….with construction at two sites along the north side of the new facility.
"I have on Lincoln Street, $2 million in there for that reconstruction....and then of course 33rd Street at the school as well...approximately $2 million as well."

The initial year of what’s called a one-and-six-year plan includes a total of $5.8 million in street construction.

The second year schedule has an overlay project on Grant Street from 14th to 16th and on Scott Street from Fifth to Sixth…. a short stretch of street which Superintendent Jason Moore says is in bad shape.

"The edges are really in bad shape, there are potholes down both sides. It does have two homes on that road, for the one block. The ADT will be very low, but probably condition-wise, it's one of the worst roads we have, for being a very short stretch."

Second-year construction comes to a total of about $476,000.

Sections of Lincoln Street construction are included in future years of the city’s plans, along with the proposed move of downtown Court Street traffic a block to the south, and reconfiguring Court Street to a more pedestrian friendly area.

The city council approved the plan following a public hearing, on a unanimous vote.