By now, most Great Bend motorists have encountered the maze of orange cones on Williams and Kansas streets. It will continue to slow downtown traffic a while longer.

“Obviously, our Kansas and Williams project is going along rather well,” City Administrator Kendal Francis said Monday night as he addressed the City Council. The work started in mid June and contractor Venture Corporation of Great Bend anticipated it would take about 60 days to complete.

“They moved the patching over to Kansas Street and they are currently milling Williams,” he said. Venture indicated it would begin overlaying Williams Wednesday.

In May, the council approved the low bid from Venture for the paving improvements. The base and alternate bid total is $665,510.

A bid opening for was held on April 30. The project included resurfacing (two-inch mill and overlay) and striping of the two thoroughfares from 10th to 16th streets. The city received one bid from Venture.

In addition, the milling and overlaying of the north half of the city-owned parking lot which serves the Great Bend Senior Center at 2005 Kansas was included at a cost of $40,295. 

At the time, the feeling was that the south half was in such poor condition that it would be cost prohibitive to address at this time. 

However, after further evaluation, discussions with Venture and favorable pricing, city officials recommended also addressing the south half now.

So, Monday night, the council approved a change order for $35,000 from Venture to overlay the south half and re-stripe the entire parking lot at the center.

This will improve traffic flow in the parking area and add more parking spaces, Francis said. “This will make that a safer environment” for drivers and pedestrians.

For more information on the projects, contact the Street Department, 793-4150.