DECATUR -- Over the years, traffic, weather extremes and topography changes have all contributed to the deterioration of many streets and highways in the area. Temperature variations, chemical treatments and traffic movement combine to causes street surfaces to become brittle, creating potholes which can contribute to unsafe driving conditions and in some cases damage vehicles.
Two streets in Decatur, Stadium Avenue and Charley Street, recently received a much-needed face lift thanks to funds provided by the Benton County Road Department and the city of Decatur.
City officials first approached the road department two years ago with several requests for street improvements in Decatur. Last year, one of those requests was completed with the resurfacing of Austin and Grant Avenues.
The city next requested the resurfacing of Stadium Avenue and Charley Street, both in desperate need of repair.
Both projects had been at the top of the road department's schedule for more than a year. However, recent problems within the Benton County Road Department forced delays in the projects' completion.
In early July, the road department gave the go-ahead to resurface Stadium and Charley. It took about two weeks to complete the projects. By the end of July, the 1.8 mile Stadium Avenue and the .2 mile Charley Street had a completely new look.
The total cost for resurfacing the two-mile stretch of roads in Decatur was around $85,000.
Now, when bus drivers, teachers, parents and students start back to school Aug. 18, they will find a much smoother ride along Stadium Avenue. And residents living along Charley Street can get around without dodging bumps and potholes.
The repairs were made possible by grants from the Benton County Road Department.
General News on 08/13/2014