Sidney Streets Construction To Continue Into The Summer

From April through the end of July 2023, Sidney residents should expect construction on Lincoln Ave. and a few other streets to do some much-needed upgrades.

On Wednesday, April 5, workmen along with their construction equipment began to tear up Lincoln Ave., one of the main thoroughfares in Sidney. The City of Sidney contracted COP Construction and Interstate Engineering to do the work. Besides tearing up the road and kicking up dust, the workers are replacing and laying down water pipes and mains that were old, outdated, or nonexistent. Jeff Hintz, Sidney Public Works director, says the work is to improve the system's hydraulics and reliability.

Currently, the workmen are working on Lincoln Ave. and the connections to the side streets. Throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer the city plans to have the workers do the same for the water mains and pipes under parts of Central and 3rd Ave., 6th St., Peterson Park, along with a few private roads. Hintz said, "There are also plans underway to replace the water tower in North Park but that won't be for another year or two." The current project will mean temporary water and road closures, dust, and noise for now and the near future, but it is meant to greatly benefit the surrounding resident's water service. When they are done with the water mains the city plans to repave everything that was torn up except for Central Ave., because it is a state highway, and any private roads or lots.

Weather permitting, the work should be done by the end of July. They just got started with the project so it is unclear whether they will be done on schedule as summer rains and severe storms could delay the project. It will be inconvenient, but the surrounding residents should be better off for it. Interstate Engineering put up a website, http://www.sidneyprojects.com, with more information about the project.