Sikeston gears up for summer street improvements

SIKESTON -- The city's Transportation Sales Tax Fund continues to pave the way to better streets in Sikeston.

At Monday's regular Sikeston City Council meeting, unanimous approval was given to use those monies for stormwater drainage improvements at Maple and Greer and Davis Boulevard; American Disabilities Act improvements for downtown sidewalks; milling and resurfacing of Virginia Street from Warner to Maple; and milling and resurfacing of Compress Road from Petty to Sunset Boulevard.

Jay Lancaster, public works director, said the city received three good bids for the work and the council went along with his recommendation to accept the low bid from Apex Paving Company for $243,410.15. The construction cost along with $26,775.12 in engineering costs from Lambert Engineering, will bring the total project costs to $270,185.27.

Lancaster said all work, which is part of the city's 2016 Street Improvement Program, will be completed before the start of school.

Also submitting bids were Jokerst Inc. of Ste. Genevieve, $253,827; and Asa Asphalt Inc. of Advance, $262,433.

During Monday's meeting, the council set in motion plans for an additional trail through the community for those who prefer to move about on foot or by bicycle.

City Manager Jon Douglass said the city sought proposals from firms interested in creating a master plan for the trail which will be created using the former Union Pacific Railroad corridor along Malone Avenue.

For the full story, see Wednesday's Standard Democrat.