Long awaited Martin Street reconstruction project complete

Wanda Nichols Photo A PROUD MOMENT -- Chandler Mayor Joye Rains cuts the bright, red ribbon and watches it fall to the freshly paved Martin Street during a special ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning. Pictured with Mrs. Rains are (L-R) Chandler City Administrator Jim Moffeit; Project Manager/Engineer Bob Staehs, P.E., of Everett Griffith, Jr. & Assoc., Inc.; Chandler City Councilman Gene Giger; General Contractor, Stanley McCurley, of Stan’s Backhoe Service; Henderson County Commissioner Pct. 3, Ronny Lawrence; and former Chandler Councilman Don Copeland.

After more than a decade of discussion and frustration, as well as years of working together to find the means of financing the reconstruction of its dangerously narrow, pothole infested asphalt, the reconstruction of the city of Chandler’s Martin Street is complete.

The long awaited project became a reality in mid-July when the Chandler city council awarded the job to the lowest bidder, Stan’s Backhoe Service for $610,507.10.

“It’s been a long time in the coming,” said Chandler City Administrator Jim Moffeit during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Friday morning. “We’ve been talking about this street for 10 years. It’s a project that’s been talked about and stewed on.”

With the construction of the new Chandler Intermediate School located at the southern end of Martin Street four years ago, the city council worked diligently to budget the funding to reconstruct the roadway to accommodate school bus traffic as well as the additional traffic brought on by the burgeoning construction of new homes in the area.

“With the new school and homes built in the area this is something that we badly needed,” Moffeit said. “I’m proud we got it done. It’s something the mayor and the council saw the need for and saw fit to go forward.”

Contributing to the success of the project was Henderson County Commissioner Pct. 3 Ronny Lawrence who assisted in gaining the right-of-way for the widening of the road.

“We really appreciate his efforts,” Moffeit said.

Superintendent on the project was Don Compton, of Stan’s Backhoe Service, and project manager and engineer was Bob Staehs, P.E., of Everett Griffith, Jr. & Assoc., Inc.

Approximately 6,000 feet of existing road was torn out before the new curb, guttering and pavement was laid down. The street was widened to 32 ft. from Farm-to-Market Road 315, to south to Trigger Drive, and to 28 ft. from Trigger Dr. southward to the new school.

With the 2006-07 school year scheduled to begin August 16, work began at the southern end of Martin St. in order to avoid interfering with school bus traffic. Once the establishment of center lines and surveys were complete the heavy work began.

Throughout the reconstruction, residents endured the noise and traffic of heavy equipment, but now that the dust has settled are pleased with the end results.

A few problems resulted in several delays of the project: Obtaining right-of-ways and easements, solving an unseen drainage problem, adjustments to the utilities, and rainy days all slowed progress.

“We had a lot of delays,” said Stanley McCurley, owner of Stan’s Backhoe Service. “We had to go back and elevate places.”

Now, with asphalt down, new grass sprouting along the roadside, and the clean-up complete, McCurley smiles at a job well done.

“It’s been a team effort,” he said. “We appreciate everybody. ”

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Chandler Mayor Joye Rains exclaimed, “We’re very proud. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”