City Council weighs street paving options

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Jan. 26, 2003
Expanding a half-mile section of North Hills Street to four lanes is among 72 projects in Meridian city officials' early draft of a $3 million street improvement plan.
City officials stressed that the list currently circulating among council members is only preliminary; it is likely to change as councilmen weigh in on what they see as the needs in their individual wards.
The preliminary list of streets  some heavily-traveled and neglected for more than 30 years includes overlay and repair projects that would cover nearly 25 miles. The list was produced after city councilmen about a month ago announced their intent to borrow up to $3 million by selling general obligation bonds to finance the work.
One of the major proposals involves expanding North Hills Street to four lanes between its intersection with Highway 39 North and 10th Avenue.
Jackson said the total cost of that project would be about $2.75 million; the city's share of $700,000 would serve as a match for other state and federal funding.
Over the next month, city administrative staff and councilmen are expected to huddle and develop their final list.
Ward 4 Councilman Jesse Palmer Sr. said while he has no major problems with the city's list, he said it will still be up to the council as to which streets, if any, get paved.
Ward 3 Councilman Barbara Henson agreed.