Jackson to move water, sewer lines for widening of 34/72

Before Phase 2 of the Highway 34/72 widening project in Jackson can begin, the city of Jackson will move water and sewer lines to make way for the Missouri Department of Transportation's plans.

The city announced Monday that it will begin moving those lines running parallel to West Jackson Boulevard between Old Toll Road and the city limits near the Jackson Medical Center.

The area is MoDOT's second phase of a three-phase widening project that will expand Highway 34/72 from two lanes to four at a cost of $5.2 million.

Jackson public works director Rodney Bollinger said the lines must be moved to make room for the widening. Dutch Enterprises Inc. has been awarded a contract for the project at a cost of $704,000 to the city.

Work began Monday and is expected to last until Thanksgiving.

Bollinger said service interruptions to businesses and residents living along West Jackson Boulevard in the affected area should be minimal.

"The only interruptions the neighbors will see is that after they've laid all the new lines they will have to reconnect all the buildings from the old main to the new main," said Bollinger. "That will probably take two hours at the most."

The short loss in service will occur at the end of the project when users are switched over to the new lines.

Motorists using the street can expect minor delays intermittently during the project, but the effects on traffic will be minimal, Bollinger said.

After the water and sewer line relocation, crews will work to relocate electric lines, a process which will come later so underground lines can be installed before electric poles are placed. Any gas, cable or telephone lines that require moving will be the responsibility of private companies.

Eric Krapf, the widening project manager with MoDOT, said bids for Phase 2 will go out this fall, with construction scheduled for the spring. MoDOT hopes to have Phase 2 completed by the end of 2006, Krapf said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182