June 16, 2023 |
Photo – Map of Rawlins – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins City Engineer is working to make it easier for residents to get around town.
During the June 5th Rawlins city council meeting, city engineer Austin Gilbert said he is moving forward with extending the eastern end of Davis Street, on the south side of the city. Speaking to Bigfoot99, Gilbert explained the history of the Davis Street extension project.
Gilbert said the southern portion of the city is hard to reach because Davis Street and Higley Boulevard do not intersect. The city engineer said the town council decided that extending Davis Street into Higley Boulevard would be the easiest way to improve access into and out of the neighborhood.
Gilbert said WLC Engineering, the same firm handling the design of Saratoga’s Never Forget Park, performed a study of the area.
The city engineer said the survey has determined the best way to connect Davis and Higley Boulevard.
Gilbert said the project isn’t as easy as simply paving the 300 feet between the eastern end of Davis Street and Higley Boulevard. The city engineer said a variety of environmental precautions and ownership rights need to be considered before work can begin.
Gilbert said the city must contact the necessary state and federal environmental watchdog agencies before beginning construction. The city engineer explained what would need to be done after that.
Gilbert said the first step of the Davis Street extension project is acquiring a copy of AutoCAD, a computer software drafting program. The weather has also held up a relatively straightforward project.
Gilbert said next year means next fiscal year, which begins this July. He said the city has already set aside over $100,000 for the project. The city engineer said the extension would likely need to be completed in sections whenever money is available.
Gilbert said the extension will benefit the city by providing improved access to the community along and around Davis Street. The city engineer said it is a good project.
