Kellogg mayor's corner

Work on the City of Kellogg’s Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Project is rapidly coming to an end.

Big Sky Corporation, the contractor for Phase III of the project, is currently finishing up with its last big pave out. West Portland has been paved as well as the last remaining streets on the south side of town. Work continues on a storm drain and small patch job on west McKinley Ave near City Hall. That project will be done in the near future.

Knife River, the contractor for Phase II of the project in the Sunnyside Addition north of I-90, continues with their efforts east of Division Street. All of the pipe work is done as well as the concrete work. They will continue with clean up and minor repairs as the get ready for their last pave out. Barring any unforeseen problems or inclement weather the final pave out for all of the remaining streets on that side of town will occur next week beginning on Tuesday, July 17th and run through Thursday, July 18th. Once the paving has been completed, fences and yards that have been disturbed will be repaired.

McKinley Ave between Kellogg (at Galena Ridge Road) and Smelterville will remain closed as DG&S continues with their efforts to remove concrete and replace the old road base with new materials. Please do not attempt to use this section of road. This section of McKinley will remain closed for the next few weeks as work progresses westward. Paving and completion of this project is tentatively scheduled for mid to late August. Galena Ridge Golf Course and residential area can be accessed from the Kellogg side during this closure.

I want to again thank everyone for their patience and understanding as the project has progressed over the past four years. The end is very near.

As always, be safe. Obey road closure signs and drive carefully around and through active construction zones. Allow extra time for commuting and watch out for heavy equipment moving through the area, operators may not be able to see you.

Parents are asked to remind their children to avoid active construction zones and to not play on material piles placed throughout the area. Everyone needs to be constantly aware of heavy equipment and understand that operators struggle with blind spots that make it difficult to see people, pets, traffic and especially young children moving throughout the site. This must be a priority for everyone concerned as school is now out and children are out and about all day.

The Kellogg City pool remains open and is free to users during the sewer project. The City Park is also a great place for children to spend part of their day.

Thanks again for your patience and don’t be afraid to say thank you to the many people who are working hard on your behalf.

Anyone needing special assistance related to the project or who may have questions or concerns should contact Mr. Craig Lewis, Superintendent of Public works at (208) 786-9131. On weekends, holidays or after work hours you may contact Mr. Lewis by calling the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (208) 556- 1114 and ask them to contact him for you.