By John Howell

Paving of the Pine Lodge connector road on the east side of I-55 nears completion, City Engineer Blake Mendrop told the mayor and aldermen during their meeting Tuesday.

Aldermen voted to add bike-lane striping to an existing portion of the route in addition to striping for the specially-constructed bike lane that Lehman-Roberts workers were pouring Wednesday. Once the bike lane is complete, the contractor will dress the shoulders with gravel before applying a final 1.5-inch layer of asphalt. Striping will follow, and the long-awaited alternative route between Eureka Road and the hospital/Walmart area will be complete.

Alderman Eddie Nabors asked about placing a traffic counter on the street once it is opened.

“It would be interesting to see what traffic uses that,” Nabors said.

In other public works activity, city workers at mid-week were digging out a base that will allow Lomax Street at the entrance to the Public Square to be widened. 

Batesville Street Superintendent Teddy Morrow said that the wider section would be overlaid with gray chip rock until Lomax Street is paved later in the summer.

City workers are also expected to begin widening the Eureka entrance to the Square for summer paving as well. White flags have been placed at the site indicating the area to be paved to create straighter, wider street alignment.

Aldermen also approved Mayor Jerry Autrey’s request for Mendrop to survey land on Bethlehem Road near its Highway 6 intersection. The city intends to purchase from Meacham Partners, LLC the tract of land where the city’s dog pound is now located. Mendrop’s survey is expected to correct an existing legal description that is incorrect.

Above-ground power lines are going underground on the Square — at least from the Municipal Court building to Complete Computers. Mendrop told the mayor and aldermen that TVEPA and ATT have already moved their lines underground. Cableone is expected to comply soon.

Aldermen voted unanimously to allow a term bid contractor to work five more days clearing the Batesville Mounds site. The city officials also agreed to landscape the area around the Mound Trail sign on Highway 35.

The mayor and aldermen also acknowledged the recent marking of a walking trail through the Mounds property. Jake Broome, assisted by other members of Boy Scout Troop 478, organized the project as part of his completion of requirements to reach Eagle rank.

“They did an excellent job,” Nabors said.