OK, so what’s up with the “north project,” where Oscar Renda Contracting has been pushing for a November or December “substantial completion,” and some had hoped for Thanksgiving as a fitting conclusion?
It’s looking more like the end of the year, the contractor says, before pipes on the four remaining streets can be installed and topped with a layer of asphalt. “The four remaining streets in the 55 miles of work are: half of Forrest, half of Benachi, half of Couevas, and Reynoir north of Division,” Jennifer Matranga said.
Oscar Renda also is asking the city for a final walk through for all streets east of Lee Street, where the contractor says all paving is completed, striping has been added and reinstalled signage has been checked. The city is reviewing the request.
To date, more than 650,000 linear feet of pipe has been laid in the overall north project, and more than 120,000 tons of asphalt has been applied on streets north of the railway.
Biggest challenge these days: Benachi north of the railway. Crews have installed sewer lines as far as 24 feet deep, and are now having to hand dig trenches to connect utilities, which in many cases are at the rear of properties. Hilly terrain means trenches as deep as eight feet are being dug.
“This work, which is too tight for machinery, has slowed us down tremendously,” Matranga said, noting 10 six-man crews are working the north contract. “On the overall project, we’re making progress every day, and we will continue to.”
Video: See the new infrastructure progress report
See detailed maps showing north and south of railway
News & notes: Spider-Man, council agenda, podcast
Spider-Man and more: Spider-Man will be on the Town Green, at least on the outdoor silver screen, this evening when Naval Credit Union presents a free outdoor movie, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Fun and games begin at 5; movie at dusk. Bring a lawnchair or blanket; concessions offered at a nominal fee. For more on what’s happening this weekend, click here.
Council agenda: The Biloxi City Council, in its first meeting of the month and first meeting of the 2020 Fiscal Year, gathers on Tuesday night at 6 at City Hall. To see the agenda and supporting documents for the meeting, click here.
Podcast: We had a question for Police Lt. Louis Moran on this week’s City Desk podcast: What’s the most realistic cop TV show? Moran, on the program to discuss the Biloxi Police Department’s new crime-camera initiative, had the answer, but we had to wait. To listen to the 27-minute program, click here.
