The City of Plymouth is moving ahead with several street and sidewalk projects. City Engineer Rick Gaul told the Board of Works Monday that state funding has been approved to help cover the cost of soil testing for the Safe Routes to School project.
Meanwhile, the city’s still in the process of trying to get funding to help with the cost of acquiring the right of way for the second phase of the Greenway Trail, and the board approved additional money for preliminary studies.
Gaul added that the city’s about ready to submit its application for INDOT funding for future improvements to Hoham Drive. After repeatedly trying to get funding for the project, the city has now scaled it back to cover only the segment between Michigan Street and just west of Western Avenue. The project would include the addition of center turn lanes and improvements to the intersections.
If approved, the project would be included in INDOT’s budget for fiscal year 2021. It’s estimated to cost about $3 million, with about $600,000 of that coming from the city. Gaul says that $500,000 in federal funding was also earmarked for Hoham, but the city hasn’t been able to use that money, since it was designated for a road extension, not a road improvement.
Plans are also in the works to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Oakhill Avenue and Michigan Street, near Webster Elementary School. The city doesn’t have all the funding needed for the project in this year’s budget, but it hopes to be able to pay for some of the preliminary work. That way, installation could be completed by the time school starts in 2017.
Gaul also discussed INDOT’s 50-50 matching grant program. He says that in order to take advantage of it, the city can either designate money from its Rainy Day Fund or implement a wheel tax for the local share. He says the city may consider using those funds for sidewalk work.
Also during Monday’s meeting, bids were opened for this year’s street and sidewalk projects. The five bids will be reviewed by city officials before the board makes an official decision.
