Ephrata funded for road repairs
Awarded $6.6 million loan
EPHRATA - Ephrata received more than $6.6 million to conduct a long awaited overhaul on city roadways.
Roads and water mains close to 50 years old will be rebuilt in Ephrata. The project covers a large portion of Ephrata including L Street to Nob Hill Drive and parallel roadways in between, a portion of A Street, parts of streets C, D, and E, Pioneer Avenue, Smith Avenue, Orchard Avenue and parts of Fourth Avenue through Ninth Avenue.
The funds come from a Public Works Trust Fund Loan. The city applied for the funds in May.
In the original application, the city requested $7.65 million. The city was prepared to supply $1.35 million in matching funds to cover the $9 million project.
The city will match the $6.6 million loan with nearly $991,000 in matching funds. The city is to match the loan with a certain percentage. The loan has a .5 percent interest rate and does not have to be repaid until the first three phases of the project are complete.
City Administrator Wes Crago said the awarded funds will cover the first three phases of the four-phase project. The city will review other funding alternatives to pay for the final phase.
The matching funds are a combination of savings, general fund money, water and sewer money and a projected increase of $8 in the base water rates, he said.
The rates have not been raised. The council must set two public hearings in September before deciding to raise the base rate, Crago said. It would be in effect from 2008 to 2028 if approved. After the 20 year period the $8 fee is subject to termination.
Phase one of the project is expected to begin April 2008. Construction is expected to begin in the northeast quadrant of the city where the roads and water mains are in the worst condition, he said. The city engineers will decide where to go afterward. The third phase is expected to begin in 2010.
"This was a community deal," Crago said.
The community was heavily involved in the proactive project, he said. Most projects funded through the Public Works Trust Fund Loan Board are in emergency need or are sewer projects.
He said the application evaluating committee was impressed with the community involvement.
The need for street improvement became a high priority for council in 2005, Crago noted. City staff began reviewing deficiencies in the street and water mains and began to discuss funding solutions.
Crago said he is confident the city can obtain another similar loan to complete the fourth phase in a timely manner.
Ephrata scored 82 points out of 100 points determining their qualification for the loan.
There were 218 applicants requesting funds from the board. The Ephrata street project was the 52nd and final project awarded funds for the biennium, he added.