But project’s still on budget, city official says
Morgan Hill – Efforts to fix up Depot Street are one month behind schedule, no thanks to rain delays and design changes, but a city official said the $2.9 million project is still on budget.
Meanwhile, roadblocks will stymie motorists for the next three weeks at Third, Fourth and Fifth streets as construction crews rip up the west side of Depot Street.
“Right now we are looking to complete (major work) in February, pending weather,” said Yat Cho, a project manager for the city of Morgan Hill.
The street’s redesign, which will include colorful sidewalks and crosswalks, started in September and was originally scheduled to end this week.
Cho said wet weather and last-minute changes in designs forced a delay, but not cost overruns.
Auto access for residents and businesses along Depot Street will be provided as work continues but the city warns delays could be unavoidable.
The crews will generally be working weekdays from 7am-5pm through Feb. 4. During construction there will be considerable demolition work and truck traffic in the entire construction area.
No-parking and tow-away signs have been posted as construction progresses.
Crews are building concrete crossings at each intersection from Third to Fifth streets. The workers on Depot Street also are installing new storm drains, colorful sidewalks and new gutters. The project also includes a newly paved roadway, public art displays, decorative benches, a bike rack and new trash cans.
The Depot Street makeover, fueled by Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) grants, is intended to attract new businesses and pedestrians to Morgan Hill’s downtown corridor. The project is intended to correspond with a redesign of Third Street expected by 2009 funded by an MTC grant.
Major work on the east side of Depot Street is complete short of architectural lighting, tree planting, irrigation, benches, rocks and work at the southeast corner of Depot and Third streets where a bronze sculpture of city namesake Hiram Morgan Hill and his family will be installed.
On the west side of the street, the road needs to be re-paved, driveways from Second Street to Main Avenue will be reconstructed and electrical work will be done.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tburchyns@morganhilltimes.
