Mayor Eddie Sundquist and Jeff Lehman, director of public works, informed the City Council that the state’s Washington Street repairs will not be completed before winter. City officials have “put the state on notice” in case of any issues caused by the unfinished repairs this winter. Pictured are Mayor Eddie Sundquist and City Council President Anthony Dolce, R-Ward II. P-J photo by Timothy Frudd

The city administration has officially “put the state on notice” due to delays with the construction repairs on Washington Street.

Mayor Eddie Sundquist told the City Council that many of the curbs, sidewalks and other portions of Washington Street have not yet been completed by the state, despite the state being responsible for the management of the street.

“We had received notice that Washington Street would not be completed this year,” he said, “and as a response to that, Jeff and his team have formally put the state on notice for the current state of the road, the curbs and other issues.”

Sundquist said the city administration has sent a “written notification of defect” to the state. He expressed concern for the condition of the street, especially with the coming onset of winter and the public safety concerns that could result from the unfinished repairs.

“We’ve asked them to take care of those items because there’s going to be a huge issue not only with the plowing, but mobility and access and others to the various areas,” he said.

Jeff Lehman, director of public works, explained that although the city is responsible for plowing the road during the winter months, the street is under the state’s jurisdiction. Despite being put on notice by the city, the state does not anticipate the street being completed this year. However, Lehman said the state is attempting to improve the situation prior to winter.

“We heard back from the state, and they’re trying to work with their contractor to better the situation, but I think it’s going to be a long winter on Washington Street this year,” he said. “The intersections are pretty bad.”

In other news, the city’s new central garage, formerly the location of the Hartley car dealership, is under construction. Sundquist explained the city has already received shipments of steel and other supplies for the project and is expecting the building to be complete early next summer.

“Foundations have been set,” he said. “We’re continuing working on that building.”

Lehman added that the pilings for the building were, “going in as we speak.”