Street work will restrict access to ER

McCOOK, Neb. — City leaders are prioritizing street improvements behind Community Hospital which could be completed this fall, or by next spring at the latest, dependent on contractor availability. The project is anticipated to completely close East J Street behind the hospital and leave access to the emergency room from East 11th Street only.

The McCook City Council unanimously approved plans and specifications for the improvement project during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting and city staff subsequently published a request for bids Friday morning.

“The street project this year is finishing East J Street behind Community Hospital from the west emergency room entrance through East 15th Street,” according to Monday’s agenda. The project is 35 feet wide and will feature six-inch concrete with standard curb and gutter. Two curb inlets will tie into a storm sewer that was installed in the area as part of last summer’s street improvement projects.

The work will be completed with the street completely closed, leaving access to the emergency room only from East 11th Street, according to the information presented to City Council.

The street improvements are coupled with a separate bid for two other improvement projects, which the hospital would ultimately end up paying for. The alternate work includes extending a storm sewer to a lower area on the hospital property, behind the maintenance shop, and installing 43 off-street parking stalls for employee parking.

“In addition, this project includes significant work being done for Community Hospital. The work being done for the hospital is all itemized separately and is being bid as an alternate. If Community Hospital accepts the bid, they will reimburse 100 percent of the costs to the city,” according to city staff.

Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff said Monday evening it had been great working with the hospital on the project, just prior to the plans receiving unanimous approval from City Council.

The contractor ultimately awarded the bids will be required to either schedule the work immediately to be completed this fall or wait and complete the project in the spring.

City staff is accepting sealed bids for the project at city offices until 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2017. The bids will be opened and read aloud in City Council chambers at that time.

Bid proposal forms with plans and specifications for the projects are available for a $75 fee from W Design Associates on East 1st Street in McCook, or by requesting a free electronic copy at (308) 345-2370.