Elko New Market Council discusses County Road 2 project
Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer
The Elko New Market City Council discussed the second phase of the Scott County Road 2 project at its Thursday, Oct. 11, meeting.
Rich Revering of the city's engineering firm Bolton & Menk, Inc., addressed the council about the reconstruction of the road, which goes through downtown New Market. Work on the road will begin near Church Street, going west to Idaho Avenue, an undeveloped road just outside the city limits. Plans include widening County Road 2 to a three-lane road, including a turn lane. The project will cost an estimated $2.2 million.
The first phase of the road was completed in the last two years. Work began near Interstate Highway 35 and traveled west, ending near Church Street. The work included construction of a four-lane road starting at the interstate and turning into a three-lane near the Elko New Market City Hall.
Revering addressed four points at the meeting:
Parking on Church Street.
Cost share of the project.
Roadway assessments.
Overhead utility lines.
Revering explained that the county proposed a plan to tear out the parking areas on the west side of Church Street and reconstruct it. The parking serves several businesses and the New Market Post Office. Revering said there were concerns about the plan, noting that the plan could create too steep a grade for parking. The parking stalls are already on a small uphill angle.
He suggested a design that would narrow Church Street, allowing for parking and cars to get through. The curb and parking on the west side of the street would be moved back slightly from the businesses. The parking stalls would also be reconstructed to make them a little more level.
The county's plan for the reconstruction of County Road 2 calls for widening the turn lane of the road onto Church Street, resulting in the loss of one or two parking stalls on the west side of the street.
Council members Dennis Melgaard and Jason Ponsonby said they had concerns about the parking on the west side of Church Street. They pointed out it was already difficult to pull out onto the street and it might become more difficult with a narrower street.
I agree it's not a great situation