MEXICO — Work continues on deteriorated roads in Mexico, even though the town failed to secure a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant in May.
Town Manager John Madigan said Friday that the town plans to dig up Osgood Avenue and lay down new water and sewer lines. The existing galvanized pipes are 100 years old. He said the water pressure to homes is extremely low. Planned road construction will disturb the ground around the lines and most likely cause damage to the pipes.
“By working in conjunction with the road project and the water district we are actually saving money in the long run,” he said.
Madigan is searching for more grants to help replace additional water and sewer lines. The town borrowed $2.2 million through bonds in November 2009 for road improvements. The failed $500,000 block grant was strictly for replacing the water and sewer lines that run under those roads.
Plans to continue with improvements on Backkingdom Road are around the bend. The town initially started construction on the road at Harlow Hill, which is considered the front side of Backkingdom Road. The town is now continuing that work but, due to logistics, instead will start from the back side near Drinkuth Lane.
Madigan said Backkingdom, which is 3.3 miles long, is in desperate need of repairs due to poor construction and heavy use from logging trucks. The town plans to also replace culverts and improve the school bus turnaround where the road often washes out. The project is not due to be completed for another two years.
Hours of legwork have gone into the road projects. Surveys are needed not only on the road but for demographics of the area to help secure grants.
“I’m a one-man show,” Madigan said, when asked who was responsible for finding federal and state funds for the town.
For now, Backkingdom Road and Osgood Avenue will be under construction with future plans to work on Alder Street and South Main Street if grants can be secured.
Osgood Avenue will be under construction starting Monday, Aug. 22, from Gleason Street to Porter Bridge Road.
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- An excavator is staged on Osgood Avenue in Mexico. The road from Gleason Street to Porter Bridge Road will be under construction starting Monday. One-hundred-year-old galvanized water and sewer pipes must be replaced before the road can be paved.
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