Somers snafu

Road-grade fix delays reconstruction

Road work along Somers Avenue is testing residents' patience this summer, but the end is in sight. Street and utility reconstruction should be finished by Aug. 12.

A delay occurred when road workers had to set the road grade to accommodate proper drainage. Standing water along roads is the number one culprit for failing streets, and "alligator cracks" can take years off the life of roads.

The street reconstruction project was further delayed by weather and waiting for Northwest Montana clay to set. The grading project also meant redoing some of the work that was done in last year's $680,000 sidewalk project: handicapped ramps at five corners, three alleys, two recently completed sections of sidewalk and one driveway had to be redone. A repeat of efforts cost an estimated $5,000 and had some residents shaking their heads.

The good news is that because the concrete contractor, Nupac, expects to wrap up work on August 12, the city will be paid liquidated damages and engineering fees that amount to upwards of $650 per day beyond the Aug. 1 contract deadline.

Public Works Director John Wilson admitted last summer's sidewalk project may have pushed too far, too fast when it came to some of Somers Avenue. But economies of scale apply in construction, and the more you do, the better price you can get.

Somers reconstruction was not expected to occur for a few more years, but the heavy equipment needed for sidewalk construction accelerated the road's deterioration, making the $275,000 reconstruction necessary this year. Previous engineering reports had underestimated the grade revamp.

The driveways, ramps and curbs were torn out to avoid the four-inch gap that would have existed between the new road and some of last year's concrete structures. Residents are also receiving new water and sewer lines on Somers, something Wilson hopes will go a long way toward easing the memories of this long summer of reconstruction.

"We appreciate their patience. We are trying to give them something that will last the long run," said Wilson, who noted that in construction work, sometimes when things seem at their most chaotic, they are closest to coming together.

—Christine Hensleigh

"We understand their concerns. And we do want a satisfied customers."