PERRY -- Construction of a long-delayed road project in Perry is expected to begin soon.
City Council on Tuesday approved a $2 million contract for construction of the Ball Street extension, which will connect the street from where it ends now to Larry Walker Parkway.
The project originally was funded in the 2001 special purpose local option sales tax. City Manager Lee Gilmour said it was delayed due to scheduling of the sales tax money, issues with a $1 million federal grant to build a bridge and right-of-way issues with the railroad.
He said the city previously had been ready to go forward with bidding, but an opportunity came up to get federal help for a bridge needed for the project, and that delayed it. The city got the federal money, and the bridge has been built. The right of way issues also have been resolved.
Gilmour said the project should start within 45 days and will take about a year to complete. He said it should have a significant positive impact on traffic, including that logging trucks headed for Tolleson Lumber will be able to avoid the downtown area.
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