People who live near US 62 near Nuttin’ Fanci, Nelson’s Chapel of the Springs and the Visitor Information Center where a retaining wall, sidewalk, gutters and curbs are being installed, are questioning why the sidewalks have been laid down, torn up and redone several times. Construction noise starts at 7:45 a.m., Monday through Friday. On Sept. 5, it started at 6:30 a.m.
The work has led to traffic delays for most of the summer with a temporary traffic light used to create one-lane of traffic through the construction zone, which resulted in long traffic delays during the city’s tourism season, and delays for mail and package delivery and trolleys. While the road is open to two lanes of traffic now, noise from the project continues.
Public Works Director Simon Wiley said the work should have been completed by now. “Unfortunately, they keep doing things incorrectly and are being forced to remove the mistakes and redo them,” Wiley said. “As far as an estimated time for completion, I’m not sure at this time. I can ask the contractor, but I know the information I receive from them will be incorrect. We apologize for any inconvenience to the neighborhoods, but it is our duty to hold the contractors liable for poor work performed. I believe the citizens of the community deserve the best bang for their buck.”
(Photo by Liz Kimberlin)