By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
At its regular noon meeting Monday, the Glasgow City Council Infrastructure Committee met with most discussion centered on routine items. One outlier was an ongoing streetlight project at the intersection of Veterans Outer Loop and North Jackson Highway near Riverlake Church.
The project would place four lights at the intersection, with two on city property and two on county property.
Mayor Henry Royse asked whether the city could move forward with installing its two lights if the county’s portion is delayed. Public Works Superintendent Jim McGowan said he would need to look into that option.
McGowan also noted that he recently spoke with Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley-Byrd, who told him the county would need to review its budget before moving forward.
Farmers RECC will provide power for the lights and has submitted the project to the state for approval, a required step to ensure the design and placement meet roadway and safety standards before any installation can begin.
“So they have to send in their proposal to the state,” explained street manager Wes Billingsley. “And they’re trying to get the county on board with it, so we can do it all at the same time.”
Councilwoman Marna Kirkpatrick asked if only one proposal would be sent in rather than two, which was confirmed by McGowan.
“As of last Friday I called them [Farmers RECC] and they said they had not heard anything yet,” said McGowan in regard to the proposal’s status.
“We’re ready to pull the trigger on this,” Billingsley said.
“It’s going to be one of those things where we’re paying the bill but we can’t do it unless they say we can,” Royse added.
The mayor said he does not see how a partially lit intersection would be more dangerous than one without lighting, though he acknowledged there may be factors involved in the state’s review that could impact a phased approach.
The committee first addressed the streetlights during its March meeting, where members discussed placement, jurisdiction and the need for outside approvals before moving forward. The committee touched on the pricing for the new lights. The city would be responsible for $4,500 for the two lights erected on its property and would add around $60 a month in utilities.
McGowan also provided updates on two ongoing projects along West Main Street.
Construction on a retaining wall near the public square is expected to begin in mid-July. Work on the pedestrian bridge that connects the Glasgow Public Square to the parking structure on Water Street has no new developments as the city is still awaiting a signed easement agreement before construction can begin. The easement has been finalized, according to Royse, however the city has yet to receive a copy of the contract from the affected party’s attorney. Both projects were broached at last week’s finance committee meeting.
The next scheduled meeting for the infrastructure committee is set for June 1.
Key facts:
– Glasgow’s Infrastructure Committee met at noon Monday at the Public Works office
– Main discussion focused on a streetlight project at Veterans Outer Loop and North Jackson Highway near Riverlake Church
– Plan calls for four lights, with two on city property and two on Barren County property
– Mayor Henry Royse asked if the city can move ahead with its two lights if the county is delayed
– Public Works Superintendent Jim McGowan said he needs to research that option
– McGowan said Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley-Byrd wants to review the county budget before committing
– Farmers RECC has submitted a single lighting proposal to the state for design and safety approval
– As of last Friday, Farmers RECC had not heard back from the state on the proposal
– Street manager Wes Billingsley said the city is ready to move forward once approvals are in place
– The committee first discussed the streetlights in March, including placement and jurisdiction
– Construction on a retaining wall near the West Main Street public square is expected to begin in mid-July
– Work on a nearby pedestrian bridge on West Main remains on hold pending easement paperwork
Comments