In projects I have seen where coat are detailed the party asking for move pays for it. Unless utility is doing a needed upgrade at same time. Then the cost may be split. Only one I’ve seen where that’s not true is where US221 was being widened from 2 lane to 4 lane divided and local elect coop was planing to major upgrade of major line that ran along 221 at same time. There was also a large grant from fed Rural Electric program (not sure actual agency name) to cover a lot of the cost.
Here is some information from news release:
Project involves the upgrade of a more than 50-year-old transmission line that is reaching the maximum life span to reliably serve members. The new line will increase capacity by converting an existing 100 kV (kilovolt) line to a 230 kV line to meet current and future member growth and demand for electricity.
The slide didn’t say anything about the technology, but I wonder if it’s some sort of pipe-jacking technique (where you’d use a hydraulic jack to dig “sideways” along your utility corridor to make your new tunnel, as opposed to a cut-and-cover approach)?
Direct bury high voltage power is typically encased in concrete duct bank to help with heat dissipation as well as for safety concerns (you don’t want someone digging and accidentally hitting it). Installation would look different than the fiber that’s currently being installed around town.
This is probably just an internal name (I hope it won’t stick, anyways), but it’s still kinda creepy if you ask me. I guess we should be happy they didn’t call it something truly uncomfortable-soundin’, like “moist meadows”…
A forward-thinking amenity for kids
Onto more kid-friendly topics: the new design also includes a playground that includes a sensory playground. This is where you have a maze-like garden with interactive sculptures, echo chambers, and other things that could be fun for kids (as well as people with autism maybe?).
1% of the project budget for this phase of the Dix Park upgrades, or $306k + contingencies (plus private donations if we get any) is programmed for public art. Consultants for this project expect the pieces they commission to be:
This plan apparently also preserves more existing trees than past designs, too, as well as having better-thought-out stormwater infrastructure and more accurate cost estimates. See the link above if you want more of those details.
MVVA has evolved this design nicely…There are some really cool elements here to kick things off.
Let’s estimate access to citizens actually using this Plaza / Play area could be achievable by 2025 ?
Who’s taking the Over? The Under ?
The new driveway entrance into the State Farmers market has been on hold for 6 months. This article explains why. The state potentially wants to add a four-way intersection at maywood avenue and Lake Wheeler road along with bike and sidewalk improvements. This would be a great change from the first plan, which was to make the exit from the farmers market on the new driveway a right turn only free flowing traffic. A four-way intersection with traffic light will really help people from the south west (🙋) be able to cross that intersection more safely. Plus, sidewalks, yay. “Hoping to be finished this summer” doesn’t sound too promising considering the speed of government on top of all the labor shortages right now.
Hopefully the hotel developers take notice and start making plans to go through with their original plans. I’d really love for the peace developers to reconsider building a hotel.
The City and the design team for Dix Park are holding a public meeting on Tuesday, July 13th from 5:30-8:30 inside the Chapel. They will be unveiling the design (with a large scale model!) for the Plaza & Play area!
You can find out more about the Plaza & Play project and you can sign up for tickets to the presentations at the link below: Dix Park Plaza & Play Public Meeting #3
