By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Improvements will begin this spring to the Big Creek levee from 8th Street to the Highway 183 Bypass. The levee, built in 1950, has never had any work done to it.

According to Hays Stormwater Specialist Steven Walters, the levee has a “minimally acceptable” rating by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The most recent inspection revealed poor sod cover, tree encroachment, minor erosion, silt deposits and erosion near drainages.

During their meeting Thursday night, Hays City Commissioners voted to award the low bid of $486,645.00 for levee improvements to J Corp of Hays. The engineer’s estimate was $776,819.

The bid includes tree removal, repair of outfallstructures, replacement of stormsewer pipe, re-grading of Montgomery Ditch, the repair/rebuilding of the levee embankment east of Main Street, and constructing a 6 inch concrete cap on the levee. The concrete cap will extend the KDOT hike and bike trail project east of Main Street.

The project will be funded by the Stormwater Utility – Capital projects line item.

Commissioners also approved the $21,000 bid from Penco Engineering, Plainville, for construction phase engineering services.