The Ellisville Board of Aldermen this week agreed to make a partial payment on street improvements being made on Jessamine Street. In August, the Board agreed to a change order concerning water line maintenance and improvement on this project.
Ellisville Mayor Lynn Buckhaults told the Board that the change order would be in the best interest of the city.
Wiley Pickering, the engineer leading the project, is working with the contractors on the improvement efforts.
Pickering told city officials that because of recent and past water sewer line issues on Jessamine Street, the best plan is to replace all the water sewer lines under a portion of Jessamine Street prior to its repaving. The Ellisville Board of Aldermen in June agreed to accept the lowest bid of $178,575.96 submitted by Bush Construction for the resurfacing of Jessamine Street in the City of Ellisville.
“It hurts to dig up a newly paved street,” Pickering said. “Replacing these lines now will help us not have to do that.”
This week, Pickering recommended that the Board approve a payment to the contract for a little over $66,000. He said payment included $33,800 for the water improvement/relocation project and $33,000 for the street repaving project. Officials said the $66,000+ payment is not the final one due; however, it covers cost for work done up until last week.
Officials said all the water line work is now complete. Buckhaults said there are still some water lines under the roadway, but they are in casings. The mayor said the water line improvements are designed to protect the city’s new streets being repaired.
“There’s nothing worse than digging up a street to replace some old water lines,” Pickering added. “Those lines were in bad shape, but I think we remedied that problem.”
The mayor also commended the city’s water and street departments for their work with the project.
“They saved us some money,” the mayor told the Board. “We appreciate their service.”
According to officials, the project starts at Court Street and Jessamine Street, goes to Allen Street and turns south to Pine Street.
Buckhaults said the Jessamine Street project is just one of several street projects being conducted by the city.
Also Tuesday, the aldermen agreed to allow John McGilberry to have an event at the city’s pavilion near his home. Officials said the event should not affect traffic or street operations.
The city also approved a water adjustment for Timeshia Barnes in accordance with the city’s water leak adjustment policy.