Phase 1 of Peabody project nears completion
Staff writer
Those who have not been in Peabody the last few months might be shocked at the amount of construction downtown, especially on Walnut St.
The first phase of a water line project consists of about 60 blocks, according to Darin Neufeld, vice president of EBH Engineers.
“We have been working with the city for 15 years,” he said. “We help them get grants to do roads.”
The 60 blocks make up about half of the town, he said.
Peabody received multiple grants to fund sidewalks. Most sidewalks can be done only after the water line repairs.
A loan from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a $1 million forgiveness if $3 million is spent, Neufeld said.
About $2 million will be paid by the city through long-term bonding.
Phase 1 downtown will cost $900,000 of the $3 million. Phase 2 for water lines repairs on main arterials take up the rest.
Phases 3 and 4 depend on receiving other grants. They would be used for water line repairs in neighborhoods.
This project is nothing new to EBH. Previously, projects in Marion and Hillsboro were completed, Neufeld said.
“Peabody recognized there was a problem with their water system and came up with a strategy to repair,” he said.
EBH started the process eight years ago.
The first phase will be completed in three to four weeks. The $250,000 sidewalk portion from a street grant will be completed in a few months.