Springfield City Commission OKs spending $2M for street repair program

UPDATE @ 10:18 p.m. (April 10): Residents who live on 10 streets are slated to receive face-lifts courtesy of a $2.06 million contract the Springfield City Commission approved Tuesday night said the promised fresh look has been a long time coming.

RELATED: Springfield to start work on 2019 Neighborhood Street Program

“It’s about time they do something to the streets. I’m sick and tired of these potholes,” June Rust told News Center 7’s Tavares Jones on Wednesday evening.

There are some portions of the project the contract won’t cover -- such as the extra work on sidewalks, curbs and gutters needed for the installation of water lines in front of homes.

The extra work could cost residents from $700 to $2,500. They’ll have the option to have the amount added to their property taxes, to be spread over a five-year period.

“They should be responsible for the repairs,” said Brian Thomas, especially since the money is coming via a levy voters passed in 2017.

Some of the work has begun. A lot of the work will increase in May.

The commission’s vote authorized spending $2,062,024.09 to repair more than a dozen city streets as part of the 2019 Neighborhood Street Paving Program.

The legislation authorizes a contract with A&B Asphalt Corporation for the project to include pavement repair, pulverization and resurfacing, as well as curb ramp installation.

“The people of Springfield passed a levy in 2017 with the expectation that we would use those dollars to improve neighborhood streets, and we take that commitment seriously,” City Manager Bryan Heck said Tuesday.

Streets in the project include:

  • East Ward Street
  • El Camino Drive
  • Fulton Avenue
  • Kenwood Avenue
  • Nagley Street
  • Olympic Street
  • Perrin Avenue
  • Rutland Avenue
  • Springmont Avenue and
  • Vester Avenue

“We are dedicated to the task of doing all we can to better the lives of our residents by improving neighborhoods and maintaining our infrastructure,” Heck said.

The city also will be reconstructing Belmont Avenue (between Home Road and McCreight) and East Harding Road (between Fountain Avenue and Limestone Street) this year, as well as paving Cliff Park Drive.

Repairs on Middle Urbana Road will be completed this spring.

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