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Sylva to move forward with Business 23 streetlight project
By Justin Goble
Sylva officials have moved one step closer to adding streetlights along Business 23, a project that’s been in the works for three years.
Board members July 21 amended a previous plan and approved installation of seven lights along the thoroughfare between O’Malley’s and Food Lion. The initial project called for 15 lights, but Public Works Director Dan Schaeffer said he cut the number so the project could fit in this year’s budget.
Though he expects the $44,937.75 allocated for the project to be more than enough, Schaeffer said he was trying to plan for contingencies.
“We’re trying to make sure we have enough money for this,” Schaeffer said. “There’s a gas line and fiber-optic line to contend with. There’s a lot of rock up that road too.”
Schaeffer urged board members to approve the plan since it would allow a portion of the work to proceed this year. The latest bid from Asheville’s Hayes Electric Co. came in at $101,587.59 for the entire 15-streetlight project.
Those lights would have extended as far as Harris Regional Hospital. With the reduction in number, the lights will reach to Food Lion, Schaffer said.
According to town Manager Jay Denton, the new streetlights will end up costing the town an extra $1,218 a year in electricity fees.
The streetlight project was approved in 2003 with a budget of $41,775, which was allocated from Urban Development Action Grant funds. Richard McHargue, who was then town manager, estimated that amount would cover all costs.
However, Denton said the project was delayed while the town waited on approval from N.C. Department of Transportation officials. In the interval, costs rose significantly, he said.
“When the board approved the ordinance they were going on the estimates, but they approved it before it went to the DOT for review,” Denton said. DOT approval is required before streetlight installation because lights have to meet DOT illumination standards, he said.
DOT officials gave the go-ahead with regard to illumination in early 2004; however, the lights also have to meet state structural specifications, Denton said. That approval came earlier this year, he said.
While the project was on hold, the initial $41,775 garnered $2,938.60 in interest.
Denton said plans are to install the other eight lights as soon as funding becomes available.
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