BUENA PARK : City Gives Go-Ahead for Street Resurfacing

Public works officials will call for bids on a $1.2-million street resurfacing project, but part of the work may be indefinitely delayed because of funding problems.

The City Council on Tuesday agreed that work on streets in an area bordered by Crescent Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, San Rio Drive and San Antonio Avenue can begin on schedule in April.

However, street work in an area bordered by San Antonio Avenue, Knott Avenue, Younger Drive and Crescent Avenue may be delayed if the city cuts back the budget because of the county bankruptcy.

“In view of our situation with the county, we have broken the area into two parts,” explained public works director Donald K. Jensen. “We have latitude to reduce the scope of work within the project area it-self.”

All streets in that part of the city need “immediate rehabilitation,” Jensen said in his report.

Jensen broke down the cost of repaving and cutting wheelchair ramps into curbs at $900,000 for the main project area and $377,000 for the work that may be postponed. If it proceeds with the full project, the city will pay about $965,000, with the remainder coming out of state gas tax funds.

The project should be completed by the end of June, and the city could receive up to 20% of the costs back from the state in a reimbursement program, Jensen said.

Council members were glad to approve the funding request.

“This allows us flexibility and is a good management strategy,” said Mayor Don R. Griffin.