Utilities and weather slow construction.
By:
Updated: April 17, 2007
A three-mile stretch of four-lane is to be built between Gentry and Siloam Springs, and $14 million is budgeted. Also budgeted is a project completion date of summer 2008.
But transportation officials concede the Highway 59 construction is facing some big delays.
All the property acquisitions and vacations are complete with just one exception. The problem is - contractors must wait upon the relocation of utilities along the proposed path - and "wait" is the active word.
Three electric companies, one telephone company, cable, gas and water must work in concert and, in the words of one engineer, "it`s a moving target." Some spots have as many as six utilities in the same place that need to be moved.
The beginning of the winner season will also push back construction timelines.
(Copyright 2006 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)
