By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Mild weather during most of January allowed Hays city crews to complete a number of outdoor projects, including a new signal to help reduce backed-up traffic at 27th and Fort near Hays Middle School and Wilson Elementary School.
Collin Bielser, assistant city manager, presented the January progress report to the city commission Thursday.
"We were able to install a permissive left turn signal at 27th and Fort. We were actually able to recycle some equipment from the North Vine Street Improvement Project," Bielser explained.
"We saved about $15,000 by being able to use that equipment."
The fire department's new training facility classroom construction has been delayed because of the pandemic. Much of the work will be done by students at NCK Tech and Fort Hays State University.
"NCK Tech has got in there and they're starting to do the wiring and install the HVAC equipment," Bielser noted.
The classroom is located in the new HFD training facility at the former Frank Stremel Softball Fields at U.S. Highway 40 and Chetolah Creek.
The warm temperatures of early winter have allowed installation of the sewer line and manholes for utilities extension - at the Interstate 70 west 157 Exit. The work is nearly 70 percent complete, according to Bielser. Developers plan a 40-acre truck plaza and shopping center on the north side of the interstate.
Work on the North Vine Project is focused currently on 37th Street, Skyline and 41st Street.
In March, project contractor Smoky Hill Construction of Salina will begin work on the next three traffic roundabouts.