Willard road upgrades increase safety, allow for future city improvements

By: 
Steve Chapman

A decades-long deteriorating, bumpy roadway in Willard, Miller Road, has been given new life. The upgrade added width to one of the most used streets in Willard, and is now exceptionally smooth thanks to new asphalt. (Photo by Ryan Squibb)

Miller Road is now safer to drive on, thanks to a recently completed road project that widened the road and made other improvements.
“It improved Miller Road between Route 160 and Jackson Street, widening the existing narrow roadway to a minimum of 24 feet consisting of two 12 feet wide lanes with a new asphalt overlay,” said Shannon Shank, the project engineer.
Shank said Miller Road also received some upgrades near Apple Market.
“South of Route 160, it improved the approach grade to the Apple Market and provided left-turn lanes for northbound vehicles turning west onto Proctor Road and for southbound vehicles turning east into Apple Market,” he said.
In addition to improving driving conditions on Miller Road, Shank said the construction also enhanced stormwater drainage at places where overflow had been a problem.
“The project included storm water improvements between Jackson Street and Mill Street,” he said, “and along Mill Street west of Miller Road to alleviate stormwater issues that were experienced at the school with the installation of trench drains, area inlets, an enclosed drainage system, and ditch grading improvements downstream.”
Also included was the installation of an eight-inch water main between Jackson Street and Highway 160, which Shank said “upgraded Willard’s water facilities.”
In addition to taking care of some immediate problems, Shank said the venture left room for a future upgrade to Miller Road.
“These improvements were designed to be incorporated into a possible future widening of Miller Road to include a center left turn lane and curb and gutter in this area,” he said.
Shank added that the upgrades to Miller Road made it safer to drive on.
“(They) benefit the residents of Willard by providing a wider and smoother driving surface along Miller Road and the resulting increased safety,” he said.
The project, Shank said, was designed and constructed through a Surface Transportation Block Grant from the Federal Highway Department, administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation. The project cost a total of $750,000, but the Federal Highway Department paid 80-percent of the cost, or $600,000, while the city paid for the rest. The primary contractor on the project was Hartman & Company, Inc., in Springfield.

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

Facebook

Please Login for Premium Content