Do-over for Washington Street on 2016 city street repaving list

One major do-over and eight other repaving makeovers are targeted for resurfacing work this year, city officials have announced.

For the second straight year, Washington Street -- from basically Wood Street to Percy Julian Drive -- will be resurfaced as part of a $373,445 project awarded to Grady Brothers Asphalt Contractors, Indianapolis.

The Greencastle Board of Works has selected Grady Brothers, the low bidder among four firms submitting proposals for the work, to undertake the upcoming repaving project.

Wabash Valley Asphalt, Terre Haute, which won the contract and did the work in 2015, submitted the second-lowest bid at $414,608.

Two other companies put in bids in excess of a half-million dollars on the specified streets that City Department of Public Works Superintendent Brad Phillips unveiled for the Board of Works at its May meeting.

Washington Street is easily the most interesting of those listed, having been redone only last year. However, the pavement has again broken up in sections thanks to lack of a good road base that's necessary under heavy school bus traffic use.

"Washington Street has been a big topic around town," board member Trudy Selvia commented.

Mayor Bill Dory agreed, saying more extensive work is necessary on Washington Street, noting that the base will be rebuilt, partially via use of a geotextile fabric. Under drains also will be installed along the north side of the street to ward off the effects of surface water and drainage issues.

Phillips added that "some extensive milling" work also will be done this time on Washington Street.

"Do we anticipate the work will be done before the start of school?" Selvia asked.

Yes, Mayor Dory responded, explaining that local repaving work will likely begin (weather permitting) once all the paperwork and insurance documents are received from Grady Brothers. Work on Washington Street obviously will not begin until after school is out.

The list of city street resurfacing projects for 2016 includes:

-- Madison Street, from Jacob Street north to Depot Street.

-- Terrace Lane, including the cul-de-sac.

-- Shadowlawn Avenue, from Jackson Street to College Avenue.

-- Shadowlawn Avenue, from trail crossing to Fawn View Drive.

-- Avenue B, from Percy Julian Drive to Warren Drive.

-- Calbert Way.

-- Hanna Street, from Locust Street to Bloomington Street.

-- Sunset Drive, including the Indiana Street leg to Berry Street.

-- Washington Street, from roughly Wood Street to Percy Julian Drive, to repair the bad road base and install under drains to keep the base dry.

Dory predicted the work, once it actually commences, will likely take a month. The contract, however, gives Grady Brothers until Oct. 1 to make substantial completion of the resurfacing work.

"In some areas the use of a geotextile fabric will be employed to strengthen the road," Mayor Dory said. "City utilities have or will be completing any repairs to water and sewer lines prior to the start of work."

A short stretch of Evensview Drive was dropped from the 2016 list to keep the work within budget, he noted. That stretch is expected to be picked up in 2017, Dory added.

Meanwhile, city officials will be attending an INDOT workshop this week to learn the details of the new road funding programs.

"The city will attempt to leverage the additional distribution of local income tax dollars ($607,000) to get more projects accomplished in 2017 and following years," the mayor said. "We will also learn what types of work can be funded through these new programs. We do know that our 2017 resurfacing and road work plan has to be submitted to INDOT by early July to qualify for grant funding"

Meanwhile, a project for replacement and/or maintenance of sidewalks and installation of handicapped ramps was awarded by the Board of Works to Joe Spiker Excavating and Construction, Greencastle.

Spiker submitted the low bid of $128,831 for the work, which was described as being scattered all over town.

The only other bid on the project came from Evan and Ryan Construction, Terre Haute, at $361,675.

The sidewalk and ramp project contract calls for substantial completion by Oct. 15.