BLAND — A nearly $500,000 street and stormwater improvement project in Bland is moving closer to construction, with city officials hoping to award a contract later this year and begin portions of the work as early as this winter.

Caleb Homan with Archer-Elgin Engineering presented an update on the project during the Aug. 10 Bland Board of Aldermen meeting, outlining the proposed work, funding and anticipated construction schedule.

The project began with a Community Development Block Grant application submitted in fall 2024. Bland received the award in December 2024, but environmental reviews and other requirements had to be completed before the funding could be released and design work could move forward.

Homan said those reviews were completed in fall 2025, with the project’s design process approved by the board earlier this year.

The project will focus on several of Bland’s primary streets, particularly areas affected by heavy truck traffic, deteriorating pavement and stormwater drainage problems.

“We wanted to do a look at the primary thoroughfare and prioritize that due to heavy truck traffic that has caused these roads to accelerate deterioration,” Homan said.

He said standing water and inadequate drainage have also contributed to deterioration, particularly during freeze-thaw cycles and heavy rain events.

The work has been divided into three primary areas.

The first extends from the intersection of Sycamore and Kansas City streets south toward Colorado Avenue and Main Street.

The second includes Main Street from Colorado Avenue to Highway 28, including a new entrance onto the highway.

The third includes Colorado Avenue from Main Street to Taylor Street through the downtown business district.

Homan said some streets will require more extensive reconstruction while others, including portions of Colorado Avenue, are in better condition and may receive an asphalt overlay and curb repairs.

The project will also include new concrete curbing, stormwater structures, drainage piping and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements at several sidewalk crossings.

The CDBG contribution to the project is more than $475,700, while Bland has committed $10,000 in cash along with approximately $21,850 in in-kind labor and services.

City employees are expected to assist with demolition, hauling rock, cleanup and maintenance around the construction area. The city will also provide seed, straw and other work necessary to restore areas disturbed during construction.

Homan said the improvements should help address drainage problems affecting some homes along Colorado Avenue.

He cautioned that unusually large rain events could still create problems, but the planned improvements should better channel ordinary stormwater away from streets and nearby properties.

Board members also discussed how curbing and improved drainage could extend the life of the pavement by keeping water from getting beneath the roadway.

Homan said water entering along the edge of pavement can cause the roadway to crack and deteriorate over time.

“The water runs off the side. People drive off that edge. It causes it to travel or crack, and the water can sit in there,” he said.

The city is now working toward completing the bid documents and submitting them to the funding agency for approval.

Once Bland receives permission to advertise the project, Homan estimated the bidding process would take approximately 30 days.

The goal is to award a contract in October or November, allowing the selected contractor to put the project on its schedule before major construction begins.

Some concrete work could begin during winter 2026 if weather permits, with construction continuing into 2027.

“We want to be ahead of the curve there and allow them to really plan this out in their schedule,” Homan said.

The project is expected to continue through early summer 2027, followed by project closeout later in the summer.

Homan said engineers intend to bid the entire scope of work before determining whether adjustments will be necessary.

“Our goal will be to bid everything, and then once we receive those bids, we’ll come back to the board, and we’ll discuss what the bids were, what the budget was and then what options we have,” he said.

If bids exceed the available funding, Homan said the city could approach the funding agency about additional assistance or look for additional work Bland employees could complete as part of the city’s in-kind contribution.

Construction costs have increased since the grant application was originally submitted, particularly for asphalt, fuel, materials and labor.

Homan said the goal will be to preserve the most important portions of the original project rather than making cuts that could undermine the long-term effectiveness of the improvements.

“We want to still follow the original scope the best we can,” he said, adding that engineers would look for “the best use of each dollar that we can have.”

Some additional savings could come through donated labor.

The city would prepare the area and purchase the concrete, while the labor would be provided at no cost.

“They’re using their material, their labor, their guys, and it’s all at no cost to us,” Public Works Director Rodney Turner said, other than the city’s preparation work and concrete expense.

City officials also said Bland may need to hire temporary workers to help complete its share of the street project.

Officials said the work would be more than the city’s current employees could reasonably handle alone, particularly if Bland takes on additional concrete work to reduce project costs.

The number of temporary employees has not been determined. Officials discussed the possibility of hiring one or two workers, although some board members suggested more could eventually be necessary.

Homan said additional work completed by city employees could count toward Bland’s in-kind contribution and potentially allow more improvements to be completed within the overall project.

Officials said they will have a better idea of how much temporary help will be required after contractor bids are received.