On Tuesday, February 25th, representatives from the City of Laurel, Neel-Schaffer Engineering, and R&J Construction gathered to discuss finalizing the 15th Avenue roadway project. The project, funded by a 2022 ARPA grant and an additional grant, involved several major upgrades, including water main replacement, sewer main replacement and rehabilitation, water and sewer service replacements, and storm water drainage improvements. Once the work was completed, the street was resurfaced with asphalt, and final striping will be done soon.
The upgrades made significant improvements to the water, sewer, and drainage systems along 15th Avenue, stretching from Congress Street to 12th Street. This project, alongside work done on 3rd Avenue and Deborrah Hyde Avenue, is part of an $8 million effort to enhance the city’s water and drainage infrastructure.
Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee has been proactive in his approach to upgrading the city’s roadways and implementing several much-needed infrastructure projects.
Half of the funding came from an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant that the city successfully applied for, and the other half was provided by the Mississippi Municipality & County Water Infrastructure Grant Program (MCWI). These two grants worked together to cover the entire cost, preventing the city from needing to allocate up to $4 million in matching funds from taxpayers.
Laurel Public Works Director Tyrome Russell, along with Nathan Jefcoat and Jonathan Keith of Neel-Schaffer, and Trae Shoemake and Russell Berry of R&J Construction, met to ensure that all drainage concerns had been thoroughly addressed and that the project is set to be completed to satisfaction.
Stay tuned for updates on the city’s many ongoing and upcoming roadway and infrastructure projects!
