News : Central avenue project likely to be delayed : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Home » News

Central avenue project likely to be delayed

By Bill Vander Weele
Published on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 1:36 PM MST

Sidney Herald

The Montana Department of Transportation’s project on Central Avenue will likely not occur in 2010 after all.

“At this time, there isn’t any funding in 2010 for that,” Ray Mengel, district administrator for the Department of Transportation, said.

Mengel explains department officials met during the first week of December to finalize construction projects.

“We have so many needs and only so many dollars,” Mengel said. “We’re really disappointed. We had to postpone many projects throughout the state.”

Mengel also discussed with Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser that it’s important to have the design and development ready in case money does become available. Mengel says sometimes projects don’t cost as much as anticipated.

“Sometimes, money materializes,” Mengel added.

If funding becomes available, Mengel feels the project in Sidney will probably start in the middle of summer or later in the year.

He explains projects are funded with 86 percent of federal money and 14 percent of state money. Even though the extension of the old highway bill has recently expired, a new highway bill hasn’t been voted on at the national level yet.

“Sometimes, Congress surprises us,” Mengel said.

He added some projects listed by the Department of Transportation are 17-20 years old. “We’re working on a backload of projects.” Criteria includes safety, maintenance costs and alignment of roads.

If the Central Avenue project isn’t completed in 2010, Mengel makes no guarantees about 2011.

“I can’t predict what the political winds do. Who know in 2011 if there will be more money or less money,” Mengel said.

editor@sidneyherald.com

Print this story Post A Comment

Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

WRITE A COMMENT

Comments Policy:

All comments transmitted through, or linked from the site, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such content originated. www.sidneyherald.com encourages our readers to engage in civil discussions about issues. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. Comments that are submitted are not posted to the site immediately, but are reviewed by Herald staff. The Herald cannot edit or change your submissions.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

NOTE: Comments are limited to 250 Words.

There are some exceptions to the above rules when public figures are involved. We define public figures as individuals who work in the public’s eye and/or are candidates for public office and/or their position is paid with tax dollars.

Thank you for your comments!