MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Street improvements began in the City of Morgantown this week.
According to Damien Davis, the city engineer, accessibility issues were the first priority for workers Monday.
“The ADA ramp portion of it, we have 172 ramps we’re doing, the contractor is getting those underway so they can get those done. Then they can start paving,” Davis explained on Morgantown AM.
In October 2015, council members approved the Safe Streets and Safe Community Service fee, a $3.00 weekly charge on employees who work in city limits.
Public works receives a portion of the money collected from the fee that became effective January 1, 2016.
Davis said the projected revenue more than doubles the street improvement budget this year.
“Last year, we just did sections of streets because that’s all we could afford with $400,000. This year, we’re focusing on whole streets.”
After the ADA improvements, work will begin on the 28 streets listed on the 2016 paving list beginning with roads that fall in areas heavily populated by students.
Those improvements are expected to be completed by the first week of August.
By the second week of October, street paving on roadways among the city’s general population should be finished.
Also this week, Davis said new tools purchased with funds from the user fee are expected for delivery.
The equipment will help make more permanent corrections to pot holes.
“We’re going to cut it out, square it up, get it nice and even, patch it so it will be a much better job and smother ride too,” Davis explained. “It should be a nice transition from the road to the patch back to the road.”