   |
 |
The Lamesa Road Project Extends Until 2014, Residents Complain about Time-frame to Finish
The Lamesa Road Project Extends Until 2014, Residents Complain about Time-frame to Finish 1/31/13
Felicia Bolton
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
January 31, 2013
Midland, TX – Midland residents and business owners filled the room of the Martin Luther King Center Thursday night to hear the latest on the progress of the Lamesa Road Project.
Midland City Engineer David Beard describes the Lamesa Road Project as the rebirth of Lamesa Road. But many Midlanders say it's a frustration due to the lengthy time frame to finish.
Drivers say they squeeze through construction sites on the street and are concerned for their safety.
"It [the construction] makes it kind of unsafe and it's a lot of traffic backed up," said Midlander Adam Terrazas.
Some business owners say they’re often frustrated by the long time frame to finish the reconstruction project and fear it takes away from customers.
"I think they need to hurry up and finish it. Just hurry up," said Owners of Frank’s Barbecue.
The project began back in 2011 and is now extending until 2014. So far only 1 of the 5 phases is complete.
City Engineer David Beard says the project could potentially help bring in more businesses. He says it takes time to complete and often goes beyond expected dates, due to unforeseen circumstances like weather, contractors' scheduling and unexpected elements of the road.
Beard says the lengthy time to complete is also connected to the extensive details in the project, unlike previous reconstruction projects that were finished at a faster pace.
"There's a difference between maintenance and reconstruction. Another way to look at it, there's a new water line in Lamesa Road. A Street [construction project] there's not a new waterline,” said Midland City Engineer David Beard.
The city plans to put up large signs, tracking the progress of the construction. By fall 2013 they plan on finishing the sidewalk phase. Then two more phases will be left to complete.
Phase two “traffic signal replacement" will be out for bid this month and construction will begin in Spring. The city engineer says they plan on having another public meeting in one month.