Underpass project hits another snag

The city of Kimball received notice that estimates have nearly doubled for the long-awaited underpass project.

Though the underpass has been discussed since as early as 2009, the most recent project was initiated in 2014.

At that time the city’s share was approximately $250,000, but that amount edges ever closer to $500,000, totaling an estimated $480,000 currently – half of the total needed to complete the project.

Plans to renovate the structure are cosmetic only, Mayor Keith Prunty added, as the structure is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and will not be touched.

“It is nearly double what we had anticipated, and I had not seen any updated numbers (previously),” Dean said. “We budgeted $240,000 and we had paid about $30,000 for engineering, so we proposed $210,000 this year. We may have some additional Keno funds, but it won’t be enough.”

The matter, discussed at the Aug. 21 City Council meeting, was tabled to allow time to evaluate options and possibly to find funding.