Jackson continues debris removal

With FEMA money assured, mounds of branches and other storm debris alongside Jackson streets are being removed.

The city's public works department crews had cleared some of the mess, collecting 627 cubic yards of debris from nearly 174 blocks in seven weeks. Christopher Contracting & Construction of Kearney, Mo., arrived with seven crews — two more than had originally been promised — along with trucks, trailers and boom loaders. They were set to start Thursday, but heavy rain kept them from work until Friday. In three 12-hour days, crews hauled 13,539 cubic yards to the city's North Industrial Park, where it is being burned, said Rodney Bollinger, public works director.

Crews have cleared East and West Jackson Boulevard, southbound Highway 25, northbound U.S. 61 and Route D. On Sunday, workers made a first sweep through City Park.

Christopher Contracting will continue working 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, weather permitting, until the work is done.

The city is paying $2.83 per compacted cubic yard for the work and has given Christopher Contracting a May 16 deadline.

In order for the company to remove the mess, residents must get it to the curbside, Bollinger said.

People who miss getting the debris to the curb have a long-term cleanup option.

"We offer a free curbside yard waste collection every two weeks, on the first and third full week of every month," Bollinger said. "They can bundle or bag their storm debris and get it to the curbside. We'll pick it up every week."

For more information, call Jackson Public Works at 243-2300.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127