Residences and businesses along several streets in Marysville have had to endure weeks of inconvenience as crews install and repair utility lines underground.
The streets involved include portions of West Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Court streets as well Milford and Collins avenues. Work has been ongoing since May and was reportedly supposed to be completed by Oct. 31. However, the streets are still torn up.
Those who live and work in the area or drive through it know what we are talking about. During dry conditions, the dust is a major problem and during rainy weather, mud is the culprit. Residents who park their cars outside have had to wash them frequently. To add to the difficulties, rain washed away some of the dirt used to fill the ditches, and that has forced drivers to negotiate rough edges when crossing those areas.
Often the streets were blocked off and no traffic was allowed through. And when that happened, there usually was no warning a block or two in advance so drivers could take an alternate route. They didn’t know the street was closed until they came upon the barrier.
The company doing the work reportedly ran into some trouble with leaks and resulting water eruptions that caused delays.
In short, it has been a mess. Sometimes with construction projects, Mother Nature can cause delays. However, that is not an excuse here. Weather conditions have not been all that bad over the last six months. The deadline for completion was Tuesday, and the inconvenience continues.
We certainly understand the need for improvements of this type in Marysville. The utility service is made better which can mean a saving of money in the long run. But what we don’t understand is the length of time it has taken and the lousy conditions that have been created. We feel sorry for those who have been negatively affected day after day.
There are reportedly monetary penalties contained in the contract for each day beyond the deadline that the work is not finished. Often in projects of this type, penalties are waived for one reason or another, bad weather being one of them. We hope this time, however, the city will stand by the agreement and insist on assessment of the penalties that more-or-less punish the company for the inconvenience it has caused. Besides, the money can be used to help pay for future needs.