The West Whitaker Street improvement project between Walnut and College Street in Salem is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 12th. The road will be closed to traffic during much of the construction that is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Salem Public Works Director Annette Sola says the $620,000 project will be completed by Guinzey Construction of Ashley. Federal highway funds will pay for 80-percent of the cost, with the city responsible for the other 20-percent through their road funds and $30,500 in COVID relief funds.
Sola says the project will include relocating the portion of West Whitaker Street near the College Street intersection so it will line up with West Whitaker Street on the west side of the intersection. There will also be new storm sewers, curb and guttering as well as a pavement overlay.
Sola says the city is also working with Ameren to move a large power pole just east of the Whitaker and College Street intersection that carries a major power line that is in the way of the road realignment.
A meeting was held with Guinzey and engineers this week to prepare for the construction project and schedule.
