Boat Ramp Construction Under Way

Tag : boat trailer part

Duce planned to start construction right after July 4, but therewas a hold up in materials.
The city approved the $159,820 contract in March with Duce for theboat ramp improvements.
Funding comes from a $153,000 state grant and $6,000 from thecity's capital improvement fund due to the higher than expectedbid.
The city also is providing a $24,000 funding match in the form ofcity staff labor.
This work will involve night lighting, landscaping, siterestoration and additional shoreline stabilization.
All the work should be completed by this fall.
The project was more than the city's budget, but city engineerDavid Schnelle didn't think the city could get better prices.
The single boat ramp and fishing platform will behandicapped-accessible. Adding to the costs was a railing to meetdisability requirements, Schnelle has said.
If the city would not proceed with the project, there likely wouldbe legal ramifications due to the state funding.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources approved the city'srequest two years ago for a $159,000 grant for the new concreteboat ramp.
Lane said there were delays in gaining state environmentalprotection agency approvals and going through the entire reviewprocess for the new ramp. The new boat ramp was designed asadaptable if the dam is removed.
The concrete boat ramp is being installed at the same location inthe southwest portion of the park on a bend of the river.
The concrete fishing and river viewing area will be adjacent to theramp. The grant also is funding rip-rap erosion control.
Lane added that the permanent concrete ramp will not require asmuch maintenance. Heavy rains and flooding would wash gravel awayat the previous ramp, which was largely used for small fishingboats and canoe access.
Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said the boat ramp project is part of thecity's five-year parks plans.
"A boat ramp has long been identified as a need," he said.