SALEM Mild weather is needed to finish sidewalk work

The replacement of natural gas lines delayed the Roosevelt Avenue project.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- City officials had hoped two parts of a three-part street extension and improvement project would be finished by now, but the effort is behind schedule.
Still unfinished is the replacement of sidewalks torn out as part of widening Roosevelt Avenue from 18 feet to 26 feet, city service Director Joe Julian said Friday. The road was to be repaved Friday, but crews will have to hope for continued warm weather to get the sidewalks done, he said.
The new sidewalks would be in by now had there not been a nearly monthlong delay caused by the need to replace natural gas lines in the project area, Julian said.
Planners hadn't projected the utility work when the time line was assembled.
Ideal weather
Julian said he remains hopeful that the sidewalks will be put in before harsh winter weather settles in.
As long as temperatures remain well above freezing, the concrete for the sidewalks can be laid, he said.
Crews need about two weeks' worth of suitable weather to do the job, he added.
The improvements to Roosevelt were phase two of the street project.
The first phase entailed extending East Third Street by about 600 feet so it intersects with Roosevelt.
The Third Street work was largely finished weeks ago, except for final grading and grass planting. Those tasks probably will be undertaken in the spring.
Spring weather also will see the start of the third and final phase. It will entail extending Bentley Drive to Continental Drive, which will take about two months.
The aim of all the work included in the $1.3 million project is to ease traffic congestion in the city's east-side commercial district.
Once the work on East Third, Roosevelt and Bentley is finished, the streets will provide an alternative route around the busy section of town, city officials have said.
The city borrowed money for the project.