If you are counting down to the start of construction on U.S. Business 54, you only have one more day to go.
Construction begins Monday.
"The contractors will start just north of the roundabout," Fulton City Administrator Bill Johnson. said "I just hope the citizens will show some patience with the city and MoDOT."
The project includes the entire stretch of road, from south to north. Construction workers will start work near the roundabout (Second Street) and Fourth Street, working on the east side of the street. They will begin preparing the curb and gutter and entrances for demolition and then replacement, city engineer Kyle Bruemmer said.
"They also plan to do work on Bartley School entrances," he added.
Work will proceed north in only the northbound direction, and when that's done, it will turn and go south. Drivers need to use caution and patience when in this area and plan for delays.
The Missouri Department of Transportation is responsible for most of the 5-mile-long business route, and thus, most of the project. The city is responsible and paying for work in the downtown area north to a point near 13th Street. By jumping on the MoDOT project, city officials were hoping for efficiency and discounted rates.
In early June, MoDOT approved a U.S. Business 54 reconstruction contract with Aplex Inc. for $2,582,054 to resurface the business route between Silver Drive north to U.S. 54. Aplex also was awarded the city-paid contract for resurfacing and sidewalk improvements to about a mile of the business route between Second Street and 12th Street. That contract is for $1,138,173, MoDOT officials and Johnson said.
New LED street lights will be added on the city portion, and utilities have already been buried to appearance's sake.
At the end, the well-travelled business route will provide a smoother and safer surface with better traction ADA sidewalk improvements also are part of the project.
"It's a high-traction surface and it will improve braking distance so drivers can stop quicker," Johnson said. "They'll mill off large portions of the road so there won't be as much crown in the street. It will be much flatter."
Getting shovels in the ground will be a relief.
"It's been in the works about two years now, with preliminary discussions with MoDOT, and then us deciding to piggy back on the project with them," Johnson said.
Also, work will also be continued on Fourth Street from U.S. 54 east to downtown. Johnson said bids for this project were opened July 3.
"We'll take 30 days to go through the documents," he added. "By August 3, we may announce the notice to proceed."
The contractor has four months to complete this project. Both road projects will be completed by about Dec. 1.
Other MoDOT road work this week includes:
Guard cable installation on the eastbound and westbound U.S. 54 from Holts Summit to Route HH in Fulton.
U.S. 54 bridge rehabilitation work over Stinson Creek. One eastbound lane of Route 54 will be closed through the work area. These traffic impacts are scheduled until the end of July.
Route A between Interstate 70 and Route B - Pavement patching will take place Monday through July 26. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area.
Route B between Route 54 and the Montgomery County line - Roadway resurfacing continues. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. The project is scheduled for completion in October.
Route D between Missouri 94 and Route O - Pavement patching will take place Monday through Thursday. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area.
Route E between Route DD and Old U.S. 54 - Roadway resurfacing continues. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. The project is scheduled for completion in October.