A major revamp of Railroad Boulevard in McComb will go forward now that selectmen have unanimously accepted enough grant funds to complete the project and awarded a bid for the work.
Mayor Whitney Rawlings told board members Tuesday that Southern District Transportation Commissioner Tom King had awarded a $150,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant of federal funds to the city, which will allow construction of the complete project, including several desired alternate add-ons.
“I am extremely pleased that the board supported this transportation grant,” Rawlings said Wednesday. “I am very appreciative of Commissioner Tom King for securing this funding for McComb.”
The $150,000 grant will be added to $632,000 in local funds and $150,000 in previously granted state funds.
The city will provide a local match of $37,500, bringing funds available to almost $970,000, while the bid awarded on the project to Webster Electric was just short of $900,000.
A drawing posted for public viewing at the meeting illustrated plans to develop a seating lawn in front of the Bo Diddley Pavilion, as well as small grassed “bulbouts” from the existing curbs for light fixtures and landscaping.
More extensive landscaping is planned at intersections, and decorative lighting matching that already erected elsewhere downtown will also be added.
The project also includes a new foundation for the now-unused sand tower, which will be moved from its longtime location to be nearer to the Depot Museum.
In other transportation business, Public Works Director Chuck Lambert reported that the bridge on Hamilton Street, at the city’s southern limits east of Holden Road, had been ordered closed.
“We received a letter from State Aid telling us to close the bridge immediately,” Lambert said.
He said the bridge has “major problems,”and could be more difficult and expensive to repair than the recently replaced and reopened School Street bridge.
The Hamilton replacement could take two 10-foot railroad cars and cost more than $100,000.
Also, the board approved abandonment of an unbuilt portion of Avenue D east of Locust Street to the city limits. The tract will become part of neighbor Algie Boone’s property.
The board issued payments for paving work, as well. Barriere Construction received almost $630,000 for Phase 1 of the street paving. Dickerson & Bowen was paid $423,000 for Phase 2.
