SARANAC LAKE — Sidewalk restoration in the village here is moving into its next phase.
Village Manager John Sweeney said work got under way last week with removal of sidewalk areas on McClelland and Charles Streets.
“This is contract No. 2,” he said.
“This will extend to McClelland, Charles and Helen Streets, Shepard Ave., Academy Street, and reconfiguration in pads downtown.”
Round two was contracted to Luck Brothers LLC and will cover about 3,000 linear feet of sidewalks, mostly areas 5-feet-wide at a cost close to $372,000, Sweeney said.
EXPECT DELAYS
Last summer, the Saranac Lake Village Board authorized $1 million for sidewalk repairs throughout the village.
The first round was completed in June and replaced sidewalks downtown, along Broadway and Main Street and on St. Bernard Street, repairing some 1,800 linear feet of walkways that varied in width from 15 to 8 to 5 feet.
“It is anticipated removal and preparation work will take approximately seven to 10 working days,” Sweeney said in a statement. “Luck Brothers is anticipated to begin work (today) in these sections. Expect road closures and delays during the removal and construction.”
“Please use extreme caution in work zones,” he added. “Your patience during these
improvements is extremely appreciated.”
IN PHASES
So far, the village has used up nearly three-quarters of the sidewalk budget on contracts.
“Current contracts out are around $725,000, plus, we know we’re going to have additional costs for materials,” Sweeney said.
The village had planned from the start to complete the work in phases, seeing how much could be accomplished given materials costs involved.
“Prices for construction materials are holding fairly stable,” Sweeney said of the summer’s progress.
“Asphalt is a little questionable, but we are buying in with the state or Franklin County bid, whichever is more cost effective as we go.”
Village officials will see what remains of the $1 million allocation after this contract ends.
“Then we will finalize the budget to see where exactly we are and go from there,” Sweeney said.
SEWER LINE WORK
Meantime, work continues on the Old Lake Colby Sewer Line replacement.
J.E. Sheehan Construction has installed approximately 40 percent of the piping, Sweeney said.
“They will begin to connect sewer laterals for the individual residents beginning (this week). This project is estimated to be completed by Sept. 3. Old Lake Colby Road will remain closed during this construction.”
FEMA PROJECTS
It has been a busy summer for infrastructure repair and replacement work in Saranac Lake, with crews working on sidewalks, sewer lines and finishing up the water system upgrades.
“And now the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) projects are starting,” Sweeney said.
Saranac Lake is looking to repair five areas damaged in the spring flooding of April into May 2011, including retaining walls and cement walls beside village buildings near Lake Flower Dam, using $1 million from FEMA.
Email Kim Smith Dedam:
kdedam@pressrepublican.com
