Norwalk approves $3.7M in street repairs

City of Norwalk photo

NORWALK – On Tuesday, Aug. 16, the Norwalk City Council approved the contracts for concrete work in Zones 3, 8, and 19 as part of the Local Streets Rehabilitation Project.

The project areas are as follows: Zone 3 is in the northern part of the city, Zone 8 is in the northwestern part of the city, and Zone 19 is in the eastern part of the city.

This project continues to implement the Streets Master Plan.

The project will consist of concrete repairs of curbs and gutters, cross gutters with slots being updated to meet current standards, updates to sidewalks, and accessibility ramps at intersection corners will be upgraded to meet current American with Disabilities (ADA) standards. In Zone 8, the neighborhood alley along Downey-Norwalk Road will also be reconstructed with concrete paving.

“Residents have voiced their concerns regarding the need for road repairs and the City Council has prioritized the Local Streets Rehabilitation Project to expand efforts for infrastructure improvements in our city. We have earmarked resources to ensure that our roads are up to current standards and safe for residents to drive on,” stated Mayor Rick Ramirez.

Zones 3 and 19 are being funded by Measure M funds, which was passed by voters in 2016, and Zone 8 is being funded by Measure R funds, which was passed by voters in 2008.

The estimated cost for these three zones is over $3.7 million. No General Fund monies are being used for this project. Previous zones completed as part of the Local Streets Rehabilitation Project include Zones 24, 27, 28, and 32, which are in the southern end of the city and the eastern part of the city.

“We have much more work to do. Last year we completed concrete and asphalt repairs on three different zones and this year we are taking on four additional separate zones. In fact, one zone was completed earlier this year. The City Council has set these infrastructure improvements as a priority — safety is important to us all,” stated Mayor Ramirez.

The concrete work is estimated to be completed by the end of December 2022, with the asphalt resurfacing following soon thereafter.

The contracts for the asphalt repaving will be awarded at a future City Council meeting.

Playgrounds

At the same meeting, the Norwalk City Council unanimously approved a contract with Miracle Playground Sales, Inc. for the installation of new playground equipment and demolition of outdated equipment at five parks.

The parks that will receive new playground equipment include Bob White Park, Holifield Park, New River Park, Norwalk Park, and Vista Verde Park.

The total project cost is estimated to be $1,727,500.

Each new playground will include climbing equipment, activity areas, and slides for both 2–5-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds.

Each of the playgrounds will be installed within the existing playground footprints, with the exception of Norwalk Park, which will have the new playground situated at a new location within the park.

“The Norwalk City Council was aware that some of the playgrounds at our parks were in need of replacement and made it a priority to include funding in the Fiscal Year 2022/23 budget to upgrade playground equipment,” stated Mayor Rick Ramirez.

The Fiscal Year 2022/23 budget includes funding for park renovations for a total of $2,050,000 for playground installations at all five parks. Any unused funds will be utilized for future park projects.