Ramp 'eyesore' hinders sidewalk improvements
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Benjamin Sharp An employee with Economic Construction Inc. breaks out the sidewalk on Burleson Street in front of the Journal-Spectator as part of an improvement project.

It's been one step forward, two steps back for the city of Wharton's downtown sidewalk improvement project.

Monday night, the City Council agreed that one of the handicapped ramps just recently installed needs to be taken back out. Constructed over the last couple of weeks at the corner of Milam and Fulton Streets, the ramp poses both a traffic hazard and an eyesore, Councilman Don Mueller said.

"I believe it would be dollars well spent," Mueller said, referring to demolishing the newly built walkway.

The issue arose when engineer Carlos Cotton presented a change order for the project that entailed constructing traffic islands in front of two handicapped ramps just recently built.

The order would add an extra $3,550 to the $218,000 project.

Cotton said the islands were requested by the Texas Department of Transportation as a means of "transitioning" traffic past the ramps, which reduce the lane width. The council agreed the ramp on Milam Street, in particular, makes a significant difference. "That narrows it down pretty tight," Councilman Ray Linseisen said.

Several council members questioned why the ramp wasn't extended out into Fulton Street instead.

"Fulton Street is a whole lot wider there than Milam," Mayor Bryce Kocian said.

Cotton said that was considered during the design phase, but ultimately it was decided to have the ramp extend into Milam so that Fulton Street parking spaces - which service the Wharton County District Court Building - would be preserved.

Councilmen Mueller and Linseisen pointed out the ramp could cause accidents as traffic heading west on Milam is forced to converge.

"I think it's a potential safety issue," Linseisen said.

Mueller suggested the ramp be demolished and re-built on Fulton.

"Are we talking about taking out what they've already put down?" asked Councilman David Samuelson.

"Have you looked at it, Councilman? It's an eyesore and a half," Mueller said.

Cost of removing the ramp and rebuilding it would likely run between $5,000 and $6,000. City Manager Andres Garza Jr. said that amount could be reduced by having city crews do the demolition.

Economic Construction Inc. is handling the actual construction project.

Mueller added that by moving the ramp, the city would not need to construct the island on Milam Street. That would save the city about $1,775.

His motion to deny that portion of the change order and to investigate the cost of relocating the ramp was unanimously approved.

In a related item, the council approved an initial payment to Economic Construction Inc. for the portion of the sidewalk improvement project it has so far completed. The payment is for $109,418.88.

Part of the work includes correcting the slope of the sidewalk along Burleson Street to make it more friendly to wheelchairs and scooters. The sidewalk was being chipped out on Tuesday.

Cotton said the walkway is actually being lowered, and that step ups are being added for a smoother transition from the street to the sidewalk.

"It's actually going to be a better situation than what you have currently," Cotton said.