JUNE 4, 2009 ISSUE
Town of Boone Costs in 421 Widening Creep Higher
As the town’s estimated share of costs in the Highway 421 widening project continues to rise, the Boone Town Council may have to take money away from local projects to fully fund its reimbursement to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Beginning this summer, NCDOT will widen a section of U.S. Highway 421 from N.C. 194 to the N.C. 105 Extension. As part of the 421 widening project, or TIP# U-4020, NCDOT will also make improvements to street infrastructure, such as installing new streetlights, relocating water and sewer lines, installing signage, islands and crosswalks and installing an underground conduit for utility lines. The town must reimburse the NCDOT for the cost of any local infrastructure improvements.
At the town council budget retreat held in February, the council agreed to set aside $1.2 million for the town’s share of costs in the DOT project. Since that time, estimated costs have risen to a total of more than $1.9 million, said Town Manager Greg Young.
At the May 21 town council meeting, Young advised the council to make a decision on funding sources soon because he expected NCDOT to execute construction contracts with the town before letting the project in mid-June. The council plans to discuss the matter at its first budget workshop, to be held Tuesday, June 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The largest chunk of the costs is $743,177 for the relocation of water and sewer lines, which is necessary for the installation of new sidewalks. An additional $257,000 is the estimated cost of water line relocation for sidewalks to the new Watauga High School.
The second highest cost estimate is $400,000 for decorative streetlights. Council members asked if the town could save money by opting for more simple lighting, and Public Works Director Blake Brown said he would look into less expensive lighting options. He noted, however, that even more simple streetlights would likely cost at least $300,000.
The cost estimate for installing an underground conduit for power, cable and telephone lines continues to increase. Initially, the town had planned to handle this portion of the project in house using its own staff, but the state force account law prohibits municipalities from using its own employees for construction work that exceeds $125,000 in labor and material costs. The estimated cost for installing the conduit now stands at $258,432, so it will have to be included in the NCDOT contract work.
At the May 21 meeting, Young said that installing the conduit does not guarantee that utility lines will be buried underground along that section of Highway 421. Last week, Young said it’s unclear whether DOT will require the utility companies to use the conduit.
Other estimated costs in the project include $114,728 for concrete paver islands, $100,000 for aesthetic signal heads, $39,413 for sidewalk costs, $15,000 for stamped crosswalk and $10,400 for aesthetic overhead signs.
The increased costs mean that the town must come up with an additional $700,000 for its share of the project. At the meeting on May 21, Young presented a list of suggested sources to make up the shortfall. He suggested reductions in funding allocations of $150,000 from Horn in the West, $162,884 from the Howard Street Project, $257,000 from the water and sewer capital reserves and $81,542 from the sanitation capital reserve.
Jim Byrne, special assistant to the town manager, said that town staff are pursuing other funding sources such as grants, but the most the town would likely receive from that avenue would be about 50 percent of the water and sewer relocation costs.
Young said the town will not have to pay all of its reimbursement to the DOT up front—the contracts will stipulate the quantity and term length of payments.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
