Lamar plans paving, road reconstruction and West Oak water-main work

Lamar expects to begin its annual paving program soon after a delayed milling machine arrives, with about $400,000 budgeted for asphalt work across several city streets.

Street Department Director Pat Mason told the Lamar City Council on Sept. 14 that the paving schedule was about a week and a half behind because the rented machine had not arrived. He expected it Friday and said paving could begin soon afterward.

Mason estimated the materials for the paving work at $380,362. The city’s roughly $400,000 paving budget also may cover labor, equipment and other expenses, but the council discussion did not specify those costs.

The city also plans to rebuild about five blocks of roads affected by the Willow Valley waterline project. Mason said the roads would be milled to the dirt and rebuilt, except for the continuation of First Street along the park. He expected that work to be completed within a couple of weeks but did not provide a firm date.

Water-main replacement on West Oak has begun, Mason said. The city plans to replace the main from Seventh Street to 13th Street in phases over the next few years, repaving a couple of blocks this year before addressing additional blocks the following year.