The Adkisson Greenbelt Park is being further extended, and workers from Envision Contractors, LLC are racing against Mother Nature to complete the expansion before the weather turns on them. Precipitation and low temperatures could potentially halt the process of laying asphalt along the Greenbelt’s newest extension, which will wind along the former US-60 bypass.
“If the weather doesn’t slow us down, we’re hoping to complete it by the end of the year,” said Kevin Grant, Project Manager for Envision. “It has to be above a certain temperature before we can lay the asphalt.”
Grant added that because the asphalt plant shuts down between Dec. 25 and April 21, it’s important to the Envision team that they get as much work done as possible before the plant closes during the winter months. Grant is hoping the weather stays dry leading up to Dec. 25 so the asphalt can be poured.
Weather issues aside, the project is moving forward and Grant says they are ahead of schedule after getting a late start at the beginning, due to delays from the county.
The project involves storm sewer modification, earthwork and pouring the concrete. Envision began working on the extension a month ago and, last week, started the excavation process.
“We’re taking up existing dirt on the bypass–we had to put some pipes in and put some dirt on at the proper grade,” Grant said. After excavation, contractors will begin laying the rock that the asphalt will be poured over.
This section of the Greenbelt will begin on Highway 54 near Ragu Drive and will end on Lagoon Lane and Highway 603 — the new road that runs by Rural King. Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock says the $412,000 project will make it easier to cross Highway 54 as Envision will lay thermal plastic at crosswalks on the busy road, making it easier for pedestrians to cross.
“One of the neatest things about this project is the pedestrian phase for traffic lights,” Hancock said. “You can cross 54 more easily–the thermal plastic goes across there. If you look at a lot of your streets, they’re spray painted. Thermal plastic is more durable. It’s more expensive, but it heats up and stays on the asphalt longer.”
Hancock added that the crosswalk will include reflectors–a glass component that gives it a “shimmer and shine” that provides high visibility for pedestrians and drivers.
Envision provided a bid that was 41 percent lower than the expected cost of the project as outlined by the city. At $412,000, the project is under the $619,000 budget the city projected, and Hancock says the mile-long extension still has a budget of $460,000 for contingency purposes.
Overall, Hancock feels the Adkisson Greenbelt Park has been an amazing benefit to the residents of Owensboro and Daviess County as it provides a safe way for bikers, runners and walkers to access parts of the city and county without having to use busy city streets as often.
“The citizens of Owensboro have a nice, connected corridor. The connectivity has been great,” Hancock said of the 15-plus mile-long stretch of Greenbelt walkway that’s been a part of Daviess County for over 15 years.
“The Greenbelt is one of our most heavily used parks. It’s something that’s very nice to have,” Hancock said.
