By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Elm Street between 5th and 6th Street will be closed to traffic during business hours Tuesday and Wednesday.
M&D Excavating will be removing trees associated with the planned reconstruction of Elm Street later this summer.
Elm Street is part of the city’s upcoming major street reconstruction project that also includes sections of Ash Street and 4th Street near Fort Hays State University’s Lewis Field Stadium.
According to Project Manager John Braun, the work is budgeted for $1.64 million in the 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and will include upgrade and replacement of storm sewer inlets, the old water main from four inches to eight inches as well as new water services along Ash Street. Pavement will be replaced along with any failed curb and gutter, and sidewalks and/or ADA curb ramp issues will be fixed. The total project length is approximately 3,100 linear feet.
FHSU requested the reconfiguration of parking along a portion of Elm Street south of Lewis Drive. The cost to add approximately 15 angled spaces along the west side of Elm Street will be reimbursed by FHSU.
Morgan Brothers Construction, La Crosse, was awarded the $1,338,054.93 low bid for the reconstruction project. The current schedule calls for construction to begin in May and be completed within 180 calendar days, with the Elm Street portion of the project to be completed prior to Aug. 20.
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller, who is a business instructor at FHSU, noted classes start Aug. 19 and students will likely begin moving in Aug. 14.
“They’ll need that road (Elm Street) to get to the dorms. So do we have five days wiggle room?” Schwaller asked Braun.
“I think so,” Braun responded.
Although Elm will be entirely shut down, there will still be a way for traffic to access campus.
“There’s a paved alley that is aligned up across from the parking lot behind the Comeau Catholic Campus Center and the United Methodist Campus Center. …which will help with the efficiency.
“We do anticipate that part being done well in advance of the deadline.”
The entire project is scheduled to be done in November.