The Haysville Times
By Angie Gumm
If the weather improves and residents cross their fingers tightly enough, the city may become whole again in about two months.
“Were going to do whatever it takes to get Grand open again. Even if its just two lanes [at first], I think thats better than nothing,” said Matt Inlow, the construction manger of the project for Dondlinger and Sons.
Haysville has been ready for Grand Avenue to be open since it closed in August of 2003. It was expected to reopen one year later, but a burst waterline, rainy weather and incorrect estimates of the pile depths, have pushed the re-opening date back by over six months.
Work on the entire underpass project will not be finished, but Inlow said they want to get something open for the public.
“We know how long you guys have been waiting and how hard you have been pushing for this to re-open,” he said. “Were hopeful it will be [open] by the first or middle of March.”
The Citys website states that March 22 will be the re-opening date. Inlow did stipulate that the weather would need to improve.
Union Pacific Railroad is at the helm of the project right now. Their work has been postponed, because the rocks on the ballast train, which was seen on the tracks this week, have frozen, and they are unable to deposit them.
As of December 9, Dondlinger had used 185 of their 210 contracted working days. They wont resume work on the project until February 1.
The City has stated that it will end its Railroad Reward contest sometime after Grand opens. Only those who have already had their name drawn at one of the City Council meetings will be eligible to win the Grand Prize, the VW Baja Beetle. Entry forms are available at most Haysville businesses.