By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The next major reconstruction project for the city of Hays is 27th Street from Hall to Fort, work that has been listed in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for several years.
Designated as an arterial road, 27th is a busy three-lane street, carrying approximately 10,000 vehicles per day east and west across the city.
Public Works Director Jesse Rohr outlined the project during Thursday's city commission work session.
The project will remove and replace all the pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, curb ramps, intersections, alley entrances, and driveways necessary to meet ADA requirements.
Also included are new pavement markings, storm sewer improvements at Canal Blvd and the area adjacent to Van Doren Pond, waterline improvements to include abandonment of an old four-inch water main along Walnut from 23rd to 27th, and fire hydrants at Hillcrest, Cottonwood and Willow.
The work will be done in two phases, according to Rohr, starting with the north half of 27th and then move to the south half in the second phase.
Commissioner Ron Mellick asked how traffic flow will be affected on the heavily traveled street.
"There will only one-way traffic eastbound while the north half is constructed," Rohr explained. "It will be westbound while the south half is being constructed."
Additional work will be done on 27th at the Hall Street intersection. The west side of the intersection will be closed, requiring a short term detour around Augusta Lane where there are a number of apartments.
"Other than that, traffic flow will be maintained through the 27th and Hall intersection," Rohr said. "For the most part, we will have through north and southbound traffic through that intersection."
Rohr said the city will work with the contractor in scheduling the work to avoid peak travel times as much as possible.
Front access to residential properties will not be available for a time during construction on the south side of 27th.
"They'll have to use alley access, so we do intend to make sure that alley is in really good shape prior to this project, and having some leniency in parking in the alley as needed."
The approximately 60 property owners were alerted of the upcoming project by letter in August 2020.
They'll be contacted again and invited to a public house open meeting in early March, about two weeks before the project will start.
Commissioner Shaun Musil wondered whether traffic would be backed up due to the North Vine Street Improvement Project going on at the same time. "Just curious how you think that will go with two major streets under construction," Musil asked Rohr.
"We've talked about possible conflicts and it was determined that as long as the 32nd/33rd (roundabout) intersection was complete - we purposely didn't start this project until that phase was done - opening that intersection should take any conflicts away between the Vine Street project and the 27th Street project," Rohr responded.
He also noted the portions of the Vine Street project that connect 41st Street and Skyline, and extension of 37th Street to the west, will be completed by the time the 27th Street project begins in mid-March.
"That will provide additional traffic access as well," Rohr said. "We're not looking to have any issues. We think they're far enough apart with all those different connections to side streets between those two."
Rohr predicts "a fair amount" of increased traffic on 33rd and 37th Streets from Hall Street. "41st Street will be able to carry a bunch because of the new connection directly to Vine."
The 2021 budget includes $2.9 million for the design and reconstruction of this project out of City Commission Capital Reserve, with additional funds allocated from Stormwater Reserve and Water Capital.
The low bid from Paul-Wertenberger Construction, Hays, in the amount of $2,376,131 is nearly $500,000 below the engineer’s estimate of $2.8 million.
Commissioners will consider approving the low bid during their regular meeting Thursday.
The current schedule calls for construction to begin about March 15 and be completed by November 17. Inspection of the project would be completed in-house.