| Sites off 2000 West have caused flooding problems for years. A new road design is now in place to assist residents with the flooding. |
Residents get first look at design for new roadway, curbs, gutters, drains
Residents of Spring Glen, who said their homes are under siege during the rainy season, gathered Monday at the Carbon County Courthouse to preview the plans that will set them free.
Commissioner Bill Krompel facilitated the open house that drew a crowd of close to 30 homeowners and residents to hear the presentation by representatives from Jones & DeMille Engineering. The Richfield-based firm was retained by the county to design an answer to the flooding problems in Spring Glen.
“We are presenting an engineering solution to the drainage problem you all suffered for many years now,” said Krompel.
The $1.4 million project includes widening 2000 West from Haycock Lane to Kenilworth Road by 5 to 6 feet on both sides and putting in roll curb and concrete gutters. According, to Collin Fauwcett, from Jones & DeMille, the engineer’s surveys of the area revealed that the water was coming from the east and collecting on 2000 West.
“This system will drop that water into the drain system,” Fawcett said.
The engineers also identified the intersections along 2000 West as key areas for improvement.
“These intersections are huge problems looking at the hydration that builds up,” said Brian Barton, engineer with the firm.
In the spirit of change and improvement resident Guido Salzetti, called out to Krompel and the engineers, “When we going to get a sidewalk.”
Krompel responded that the county would phase in some changes.
“First we have to address the flooding problems,” he said. “This would require two miles of sidewalk and we have to prioritize.
He added that he wasn’t sure that there was unanimous support in Spring Glen for sidewalks but that the current project is flexible enough to add elements later on if so desired.
However, after a few moments of contemplation Barton told the crowd that they will be getting sidewalks of sorts – 6-foot asphalt shoulders as a result of the road widening.
The engineers explained that the existing roadway is approximately 24 to 25 feet wide and after the construction is done it will be 36 feet with 24 feet being the vehicle area and the additional 6 feet on each side will be suitable for walking or riding bicycles.
Property owner Dave Babcock, asked the engineers to carefully walk residents through the project so that they may understand and see how it will specifically impact their property.
The nearly 40-page set of plans includes sections that show the actual properties with owners’ names and how the new roadway intersects with their driveways.
One resident flashed a wide smile when she heard that she may end up with a newly paved driveway as a result of the work.
In addition to curbs and gutters to further facilitate water runoff the design includes storm drains at the intersections of 4000, 4100 and 4200 North.
“We will build inlets at these intersections that will allow the water to drop into the pipes and discharge near the railroad crossing and head eventually into the river,” said Fawcett.
While the plans have been drawn, the work itself isn’t expected to begin until spring and will take approximately four months to complete.
Hearing the time frame, Salzetti had just one thing to say.
“Let’s get started,” he said with an air of determination.