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Government workers repair a road in preparation for a project in this file photo.Photo by John Rawlston
More than $1.6 million in federal stimulus money will go to repave five roads in Chattanooga just as the City Council cut money for paving from the city budget.
"It's a blessing," said Councilwoman Pam Ladd, chairwoman of the Public Works Committee. "Instead of being out in the cold with no ability to do major projects, it's a blessing."
Highways Inc., a Cookeville, Tenn.-based company, was awarded the contract, said Eddie Tate, the city's pavement supervisor.
The company will repave five roads within the city, starting with Barton Avenue and continuing with Hickory Valley Road, Dayton Boulevard, Airport Road and Shepherd Road, city records show.
Work started this week on Barton Avenue in North Chattanooga, with crews mapping out drainage lines and updating handicap ramps on sidewalks, Mr. Tate said.
Paving would begin on the road by the end of the month, he said.
ROAD REPAIR
The city plans on using $1.6 million of federal stimulus money to repave five roads:
* Barton Avenue
* Airport Road
* Dayton Boulevard
* Hickory Valley Road
* Shepherd Road
Source: Chattanooga government
Because of school traffic, the city wanted to make sure repaving occurred at Barton Avenue first, he said.
"We're working to get out of there by the time school starts," Mr. Tate said.
He said some lanes on Barton will be shut down over the coming months, with flaggers waving people through.
"We realize there will be inconveniences," he said.
The 2010-11 fiscal year budget approved by the City Council on Tuesday cut road maintenance from $2 million to $1 million.
Mr. Tate said these projects will probably be the biggest the city conducts this fiscal year.
Mark Odom, vice president for Highways Inc., said the federal money has helped save jobs with his company. He estimated about 24 local jobs will be created through subcontractors.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
WOW! Finally, our stimulus money being spent wisely....Let's see....Stimulous (getting the economy moving) How will this help the economy other than help pay for the few folks repaving the roads? Obama and his minions could have divided the Trillions among everyone (because doesn't he want to redistribute the wealth?) Then everyone would have had some money to SPEND. Would not that stimulate the economy more than some pavers? Just a thought.
Councilwoman Pam Ladd voted for the current raise in our property taxes to fund the budget and , along with four other City Commissioners, demonstrated that they have no interest in being good stewards of the taxpayers money. Let's remember her & the other four at election time and VOTE THEM OUT!!!
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