The financial caution light has been on in Branson for the past few months and just might turn into a stop light for the final phase of the Fall Creek extension. Until recently, it was commonly felt that the final phase would be bid and continue on to completion giving the city of Branson another major north south traffic relief route. Even though the bids on the project were lower than expected there might not be enough money in Branson’s budget to fund the project.
The millions of dollars spent on the Fall Creek Project thus far have resulted in an intersection at the Junction of Fall Creek Road and Highway 76, a stop light and an almost one of a kind inefficient zigzag approach to the intersection. The final phase of the project will not only correct the deficiencies involved with the zigzag approach, but will allow for the extension of Fall Creek Road to the north.
Fall Creek Road will continue off the north end of the interchange and continue north to the south end of the stop light located at the intersection with Roark Valley Road and James F. Epps Road. At that point, traffic coming from the south will be able to continue north on James F. Epps Road to its intersection with Highway 248. The completion of the Fall Creek extension project will provide a main north south relief route that will permit traffic access to Cooper Creek, Wildwood Drive, Green Mountain Drive, south Highway 165 and Table Rock Lake area without adding to the congestion on Highway 76.
City Engineer David Miller said that the bids for the final phase of the Fall Creek Road Extension project were opened on July 10 and Emery Sapp & Sons from Columbia had the low bid of $4.5 million dollars. He said the bids came in better than expected. He said, prior to the bid opening, they had estimated the bides would be around $5.5 million.
Miller went on to say although the city has not had any dealings with Emery Sapp & Sons itself the firm is recommended by the transportation engineering firm, Transystems Engineering. Internet research indicates that the firm has done a number of jobs for the Missouri Department of Transportation and is currently the prime contractor on the four laning of U.S. Highway 65 between Fair Grove and Dallas County.
Branson City Administrator Dean Kruithof said the city has about $3.8 million set aside for the project which is close to the $4.5 million needed. He explained the city has a window of 60 days from the bid opening of July 10 to award the bid and is currently in the process of evaluating two things. The first is “The budget to see what we have to be able to complete Fall Creek Road and the second is the bid itself to make sure that it’s the lowest and best bidder and they can complete the project if the bid is awarded.
Reprinted with permission of the Tri-Lakes Tribune, a free newspaper published and distributed three times weekly, Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Please call 417-336-NEWS (6397) for classified and display advertising opportunities.