South Street opens, more work remains in spring

City Council
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     With South Street open in Monticello, City Engineer Patrick Schwickerath told the city council that the project was wrapped up for the remainder of the year.

     During the recent Dec. 5 council meeting, Schwickerath said the project is close to being completed. The work that remains includes:

     • Sidewalk ramps at Sycamore, Maple and South Main streets

     • Sidewalk along the south side of East South St.

     • Three driveways and sidewalk along South Main St.

     • Sidewalk on the west side of Sycamore Street

     • Final grading

     • Seeding (to be completed by the city)

     “They unfortunately just ran out of time to get everything done,” said Schwickerath. He explained the weather now is too cold for the contractor, Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC, to pour cement for sidewalks.

     Schwickerath also cited a number of setbacks throughout the course of the project that caused issues along the way:

     • The contractor repaired water main breaks following hydrant flushing

     • Mediacom had to relocate their new underground utility line on the north side of East South St. due to it being installed in the wrong location and in conflict with the proposed water main

     • A gas main near Casey’s General Store was damaged and needed repairs

     • Black Hills Energy had to relocate a gas main on the south side of East South St.

     • The contractor replaced the fire hydrant on Sycamore Street

     • The contractor installed an additional water main adjacent to the Well House on Sycamore Street

     • Century Link had to relocate a communication line on the south side of East South St.

     South Street was open to traffic as of Dec. 2. Schwickerath said Eastern Iowa worked two weeks past their scheduled completion date.

     “Several items impacted their schedule,” he said. “But they did good work.” Schwickerath said, though, it was up to the council whether they wanted to assess liquidated damages or not. The original contract between the city and Eastern Iowa provided for liquidated damages in the amount of $500 a day.

     Eastern Iowa would conclude the remainder of the work in the spring.

     “A lot of those issues were not their fault,” Council member Dave Goedken commented.

     Council members Johnny Russ and Brian Wolken said there were a few days during the fall that the contractors were not on site. Schwickerath said that was due to the paving portion of the project.

     “Overall I think we’re very satisfied with the work of Eastern Iowa,” said City Administrator Doug Herman. “I would suggest against liquidated damages.”

     Council member Tom Yeoman complimented Eastern Iowa for the work they did on Second Street.

     “It was very nice,” he said.

     Herman said if Eastern Iowa had started earlier in June, the city would have asked them to stop the project during fair week in mid-July.

     “We could be in a lot worse shape, without a road,” added Goedken.

     In the end the council chose not to assess liquidated damages until nearer the final project completion in the spring.

     City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen reminded the council and the public that property assessments would not go into effect until the spring due to the extended completion date of the project.

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