KELLOGG -- The next few months are expected to be busy for the city of Kellogg as crews move forward with roughly $2 million in infrastructure upgrades, many of which are slated for completion by mid-August.
According to City Superintendent Mike Fitzgerald, the projects include completion of a multi-year chip seal project, paving and repaving on select streets and alleyways, stormwater drainage repairs and installations, concrete work on several sidewalks, and construction of a new city shop.
The largest project is the new city shop, which will be built near the current shop at the end of East Portland Avenue. The new facility will feature higher-clearance doors, lifts, a mechanic pit and other upgrades designed to keep the city's maintenance vehicle fleet operating efficiently.
The new shop is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million and has been in development since before Fitzgerald assumed his current role, when it was still overseen by the late Craig Lewis.
"I would expect the work on this to go well into the winter," Fitzgerald said. "This is being funded using money that the city has been saving for several years, well before I got here."
The chip and slurry seal work represents the third and final phase of a project that began in 2021. The remaining work is primarily located south of Interstate 90, with a few smaller areas north of the interstate.
"This is the last part of that work," Fitzgerald said. "All of our roads will be caught up after that. And it's looking like it's going to cost a quarter-million bucks or so and should be wrapped later in the summer."
Alley paving will largely take place north of I-90, with only one small alley scheduled for improvements on the south side.
Additional work is planned near the Kellogg Public Library and its recently constructed archive building, including paving the parking lot and installing a catch basin to store stormwater.
"That parking lot turns into a muddy mess every spring," Fitzgerald said.
The paving and sealing work is expected to cost approximately $500,000.
Mayor Rod Plank said he is excited to see the projects begin and hopes residents recognize the effort being made to maintain the city's infrastructure.
"We're extremely happy and fortunate that we have funds available to keep the maintenance of our roads and streets up," Plank said. "We're looking forward to another successful season of protecting those roads for a bit longer. With all of the new paving we did a few years back, it's important for us to maintain it and extend its life as long as we can."
Kellogg, along with other Silver Valley communities, recently completed a large road-replacement project using EPA funds. Plank said ongoing maintenance and seal work will help ensure the longevity of those roads and, ultimately, help taxpayers.
Fitzgerald said the city will conduct community outreach for each project to inform residents who may be affected by the work.