Council approves three street overlay projects; Rolling Hills road widening debated

The City Council approved three asphalt overlay projects listed in the FY2026 budget: Washington Street (including a 5‑inch asphalt lift and subgrade work), Rolling Hills Road (two‑inch overlay from Jefferson Street to the city limit), and Harwood Avenue (completing a previous project). The combined work covers just over 1.5 miles with an estimated project cost spoken of as about $452,000.

Public works staff described details: only Washington Street will receive the 5‑inch depth; Rolling Hills will be a 2‑inch overlay and will retain existing width and striping. Councilors asked whether the overlay would include repainting and whether road widening was planned; staff said widening would be a separate, reconstruction‑level project requiring additional right‑of‑way acquisition, utility relocations and much higher costs.

Council members debated Rolling Hills Road at length. Multiple councilors characterized the road as a safety concern and asked whether reconstruction, traffic counts, or alternative routes should be explored. Staff responded that a previous traffic count was roughly 3,000 vehicles per day and that north‑side stormwater issues would be addressed first through engineering work before finishing the overlay to the city limit. Council directed staff to obtain an updated traffic count for Rolling Hills Road.

Council approved the ordinance authorizing the three overlays (Council Bill 68‑63 became Ordinance 7105). Staff cautioned that reconstruction or widening would be a multi‑year, higher‑cost project requiring significant property acquisition and possible coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation.