Streetscape improvements approved for downtown Newton streets

Newton City Council on July 15 awarded a more than $831,000 contract to Manatts Inc. to complete a downtown streetscape improvements project.

Affected roadways include North Second Avenue East between First Street North and East Fourth Street North, as well as East Second Street North and East Third Street North between First Avenue East and North Second Avenue East. All of these areas have had asphalt resurfacing over the past 65 years.

Newton Mayor Evelyn George said, “This continues our improvements around the square.”

According to city documents, the previous resurfacing project occurred between 36 and 38 years ago. Staff say the asphalt surface needs rehabilitation. Four of the five blocks have been widened to approximately 55 feet, which eliminated the streetscape and caused poor street drainage.

Under this new project, the streets will be reconstructed 40 feet wide from curb to curb and include parallel parking and new sidewalks.

This would nearly return the streets to their original width, and city staff says it will improve street drainage and provide a grass area between the curb and sidewalk for better aesthetics and snow storage and allow for the installation of pedestrian streetscape lighting. The project is expected to completed by Nov. 30.

Three contractors submitted bids. Manatts, Inc. provided the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $831,115.90. TK Concrete, Inc. bid $882,513 and Caliber Concrete, Inc. bid $943,404.53. The engineer’s construction cost estimate for the project was $998,453, putting the project underestimate.

Council member Mark Hallam said, “I think this is great. That’s my only comment. This has been needed.”