If the 2023 construction season goes as planned, the fall harvest in the Superior area may offer extra challenges.

Members of the Superior City Council Monday evening learned the state highway department has committed funds for a major highway project that will involve most of Highway 14 from the south junction with U.S. Highway 136 about five miles north of Superior to the state line and Highway 8 from the east edge of Superior to the creek bridge east of the South Central Veterinary Clinic.

It appears to be a major project that will require the relocation or replacement of water and sewer lines, substantial work on the Highway 14 bridge over the Republican River, road and shoulder widening along with major asphalt repair. As the utility lines must be moved first, the actual highway work is not expected to start until fall.

A turning lane will be added to East Third Street from approximately Hartley Street east to the bridge. This will require the relocation of the water main serving the Village of Hardy. It will likely leave Hardy without water for a time and may result in a boil water order for residents of the village.

Highway 14 will be resurfaced from the south Highway 136 junction to about Seventh Street. The Eighth Street west intersection will be widened by about 10 feet. Other intersection work is also part of the plan. This area along Idaho Street will require the replacement of gas mains and services.

Widening of the Canal Street intersection will result in the closing of a driveway serving the business location to the east.

The highway and adjoining shoulder will be widened from the west city limits to the river.

Much of the costs associated with the utility line relocations will be paid for by the state.

A notice to bidders related to this project is published in this issue of The Express.

In other action Monday evening, the Superior City Council approved proceeding with securing bids for an electrical system improvement.

The electrical system master plan calls for the development of three primary connections or backbones between the city’s two electrical substations. Currently two of those are completed and the third is partially completed. If the work proposed for this year is completed, it will finish that part of the plan.

The poles have been set and the installation of the crossarms and insulators completed by the city crew but the wire is yet to be strung. When finished, this connection will serve the West Circuit and the Hilltop Circuit. The West Circuit currently has minimal load as it was designed to serve the Mid-America Dairymen plant along with a residential load. The Hilltop Circuit carries most of the load around the school, and a portion of the load west of Idaho and north of Ninth Street.

Currently the city has minimal capability to back feed the Hilltop Circuit during an emergency. This is not considered good as the school serves as a designated shelter in times of an emergency. The work planned for this year will improve the city’s ability to feed the two circuits from either substation.

The proposed work will be funded through the electrical department’s current budget.

A revision of the ordinance regulating trash collection within the City of Superior passed on first reading. At the next two city council meetings, hearings will be held to allow the residents of the city to comment on the proposed changes.

As explained Monday night, the ordinance will authorize the city utility department to bill and collect for residential trash collection services. The city will deduct a processing fee and remit the balance to the licensed trash hauler contracted to serve the location.

The ordinance does not limit the number of licensed trash haulers that may serve properties within the city.