By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard
The Arkadelphia City Board approved the second phase of a drainage project on Haddock Street during their regular meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 19.
The project will focus on rebuilding a drainage culvert that runs from the old high school to US Highway 67, Brinkley said. The city has spent about four years on the project. The second phase will take care of a portion of the tunnel that has collapsed along Highway 67.
Two bids were received for the work with the lowest bid coming from Redstone Construction at $699,000. That bid was approved unanimously with Brinkley stating work will begin sometime after Jan. 1, 2025. The city has received a grant that will fund $300,000 of the work.
Mayor Scott Byrd noted that the drainage tunnel goes under the highway and asked if the city would be responsible for it. Brinkley replied that the widening of the highway by the Arkansas Department of Transportation in the coming months would take care of that drainage culvert all the way to Ouachita Baptist University’s property. He said the tunnel will be moved seven feet and the city’s responsibility will simply be to align with it.
The purchase of a front-end loader truck to pick up Dumpsters was next on the agenda. Brinkley said the city will lease the equipment for a monthly fee. The low bid for the lease was $359,900 from Arkansas Municipal Equipment, which was approved.
In other business, the board approved end of the year pay for employees. Full time workers will receive $500 while part-time will get $250. Brinkley said the checks will be given out at the city’s Christmas party.