By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Replacement of the water  main along Oak Street from 20th to 26th Street will start later this month in Hays.

Construction is scheduled to begin Mon., Oct. 31, 2016 and will last about five months, according to Assistant Public Works Director John Braun. The work will begin at 20th Street and move north. Access to some residences may be restricted at times.

A Public Open House/Information meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, October 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall at 1507 Main Street. The city’s contractor, J Corp, along with city staff answer questions and present the plan and schedule.

Braun says this project is basically a wrap-up of work that began in 2012.

“Back in 2012, we had several waterlines within the older parts of town scheduled for replacement. Since that time we’ve done waterlines on Oak St. 26th St., Elm, Hickory, Ash and various other places.  So this is sort of wrapping up that program,” Braun said.

“The Capital Improvement Plan that’s in the 2017 budget lists some other waterlines on various streets that need also to be updated. Those are based more on waterline break histories. The past projects were more for water capacity and fire protection issues,” he explained.

If interested residents are unable to attend tonight’s meeting, Braun has offered to talk to people individually. Call the Hays Public Works Dept. at (785) 628-7350 or email Braun at [email protected].