Pictured above is one of the culverts the city plans to expand this winter to make room for a multi-use trail to be installed in 2019. Officials say the project will also help beautify the area by getting rid of the guardrails there now.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Will Channell)
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Residents will see some more work on West Fifth Street soon, as the city plans to extend a trio of culverts along the road.
There are two areas on the north side of West Fifth Street with guardrails that mark where culverts run under the street.
The western area has one running underneath, while the eastern area has two that share an opening.
This winter, the city hopes to extend those culverts away from the road toward Legion Park to make way for a multi-use trail the city plans to install in 2019.
Public Service Director Mike Andrako said the project will include clearing out some trees and brush on the two sites. Currently, the guardrails are needed because of the sheer drop-off near the road.
“By doing this, we’ll be able to grade that out,” Andrako said.
City Utility Engineer Kyle Hoyng said the extension would be “about 40 or 50 feet.”
Committee member Alan Seymour asked if the city plans on keeping the western part of the park thick with trees. Andrako said the only trees that will be affected will be near the culverts.
“We have to clear where we’re grading, because we can’t preserve the trees where we have to fill,” he said.
Seymour asked if the project would involve cutting down any larger trees.
City Manager Terry Emery said the largest tree in the area is likely about 10 inches in diameter. Andrako said he’d need to get back to the committee at a later date with specifics about the trees in the area.
“I find that when it comes to trees, I ask the experts and then they get back to me,” he said. “But I know there’s nothings substantial. We’re not removing any trees that would be amenities to the park.”
Andrako acknowledged that the city received all sorts of feedback when it removed some of the park’s trees and underbrush earlier this year.
“People were kind of upset with us that we were removing habitat,” he said.
Committee member Tracy Richardson expressed appreciation that officials were letting the public know ahead of the project. She said there’s less controversy when people know why trees are being removed, and have some sort of notice that it’s happening.
“We’re cutting them down to prep, to have something better,” she said.
Emery expressed excitement at the project, and said the end product will be attractive.
“I love getting those guardrails out of there,” he said.