City plans repaving of 18 blocks of streets

Libby City Council members have approved a plan to repave 18 blocks of city streets, and while the project will address some of the worst streets in town, some are left wondering why it’s taken so long.

“I think the roads are an atrocious reflection of our city to guests,” said Michael Shock, who lives at 1321 Louisiana. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m pleased they are addressing these major problems, but these could have been done years ago with development money. Where did all that money go?”

City Administrator Jim Hammons on Tuesday explained the city put off road repairs to allow for water-main improvements.

“Hey, I wanted to do these a long time ago,” Hammons said.

City Councilwoman Barb Desch, who is the street commissioner, said Hammons and City Street Supervisor Corky Pape assessed the streets most in need of repair. Those streets include eight blocks of Lincoln Boulevard, seven blocks of Louisiana Avenue and three blocks of Second Street. Louisiana Avenue allows access to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center off Highway 2 from the south, and Second Street is a direct route to the hospital off Highway 37 from the north.

“It seems like we go one step forward and two steps back,” said Arlen Magill, who like Shock made street repair a platform of his recent unsuccessful City Council bid. “I do think it’s a step in the right direction. What is the total number of blocks in the city, 164? My only thing is, there are a lot of streets in need of repair besides Louisiana and Second.”

Mayor Doug Roll said the city has made plans to repair the streets, but it made best sense to complete the water-distribution repairs first.

“This has all been in the planning phase for about two years,” Roll said. “We wanted to repair mains below before we started making repairs to the streets.”

Roll said the repair work represents about one-tenth of all city streets.

Cost of the 18-block repairs is estimated to be $147,159.75, according to city documents provided on the project. The costliest segment of the job is the stretch leading north from Highway 2 on Louisiana Avenue to the hospital, which will come with a $52,368 price tag.

Also, the city plans to use all new asphalt on the projects. To reduce costs, city and county crews will do the work. Additionally, the city will construct a small asphalt facility to be established at the city property known as the City Pits just north of town off Pipe Creek Road.

Desch, the street commissioner, said the city plans to use the Asphalt Zipper to remove the old asphalt, which will not be reused.

“Yes, the Zipper will be used,” Desch said. “But only to remove the old stuff. We’re not recycling it.”

When purchased, the Asphalt Zipper was sold as a device that would mulch asphalt so a rebinding solution could be added to renew old asphalt into a recycled pavement.

In her report to City Council members, Desch said the plan calls for a two-inch asphalt overlay at a cost of between $55 and $58 a ton. LHC, Inc., of Kalispell is the asphalt supplier. Because of the quantity the city is purchasing, LHC has agreed to drop the transport charge.

LHC, Inc., estimates to have the City Pit area prepared by mid- to late June. City and Lincoln County crews will do all the hauling and laying down of the asphalt with the county’s paver.

“These are only estimates put together with the best information we have available,” Desch said.

City leaders also approved additional paving, providing the cost of those projects do not exceed a total cost of $200,000.

Hammons said the city also is looking to repave Fourth Street between Main and California streets, Sixth Street between California.

“These are on my wish list,” Hammons said.