Despite some brief inclement weather interruptions, the comprehensive water line replacement and street resurfacing projects are continuing at a satisfactory pace.
All or parts of 55 streets are slated to be resurfaced in this $3.6 million project, which is the second phase of an ongoing resurfacing plan that began in 2020. Eight miles of streets were repaved during the first phase at a cost of just over $1 million. Phase II will pave about 18 miles of streets.
In conjunction with the resurfacing project, an extensive water line replacement is also under way. The Enterprise Water Works Board made the decision to move forward with plans to replace the old and deteriorating lines that run under some city streets ahead of the resurfacing project. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of having to damage or replace the new street pavement in the event of water line breaks in the future.
In fact, the streets selected to be repaved in this phase were chosen based on the severity of water line issues along with evaluations of current pavement conditions.
City officials said new lines are being laid curbside or on the right-of-way rather than under the streets where possible in order to also help preserve the newly resurfaced streets as long as possible.
The resurfacing project began on Freedom Drive in December and quite a bit of progress has been made. Thus far, 18 streets have been or are in the process of being completed with not only the pavement but the finishing work.
The City’s overall plan is to have more than 50 percent of the city’s 190 miles of streets resurfaced over the next four years.
Streets that have already been finished during this latest phase include:
Freedom Drive, Fawn, Ford Alley, Ford Lane, Gavin, Gilley, Havana, Huey, Julian, Owens, Anthony Circle, Pistol Drive, South Reed, Sims, South, Sylvan and Anthony Circle.
Streets to be paved soon are:
Adams, Baxter, Brenda Lane, Carriage Drive, Caylor, Clover, Colony Drive, Dauphin, Dismukes, Dominey, Eagle Circle, Falcon Drive, Gail Circle, Gentry, Green, Guardian Way, Indian Camp Crossing, Law Avenue, Legion Drive, McGriff Circle, Middlebrook, Mildred, Miller, Mina, Mixson, North Ouida, Omega Circle, Port Mayaca Drive, Porter Lunsford Road, Industrial Blvd, Sawyer, Sequoia Drive, Shellfield Road, Spearpoint Drive, Tracey Circle, Watts and Wren Lane.