Lebanon outlines $11M-plus road program, warns of short-term closures

City Manager Scott Barunka said Lebanon has programmed just over $11,000,000 for roadway-related projects in 2026, spotlighting multi-year reconstructions and maintenance meant to improve drainage, multimodal access and long-term asset condition.

Barunka opened the session on infrastructure by noting recent projects the city completed and funded in part by grants, including the Bowman Trail (supported by a $1,200,000 grant) and Park Avenue reconstruction. "So 2026, road improvement program. So we have a little over $11,000,000, programmed into this year's budget for our roadway related infrastructure," Barunka said, listing Meadowlane and Suncrest reconstruction, a $3,000,000 project that includes utility replacements, and a $7,000,000 program for paving and concrete replacement.

Why it matters: the work is intended to replace aging utilities and correct subgrade problems rather than apply short-lived surface fixes. Barunka emphasized the city’s aim to coordinate utility replacements with surface reconstruction to avoid repeated digs and costly rework.

Key projects and details
- Meadowlane and Suncrest: planned as full reconstruction with concurrent utility replacement; project budgets were described in the $3 million range.
- Paving and concrete program: the city plans a $7 million investment in resurfacing and concrete replacement across multiple neighborhoods, including full-depth replacements where necessary.
- North Broadway: Barunka outlined a recent $6,000,000-plus reconstruction that included water-main replacement and a multiuse path; the city secured roughly $1,750,000 in grant funding to support that work.
- Gloucester Road roundabout: Ben Stuckey described an intersection reconfiguration that includes a roundabout; staff warned of a planned 90-day maximum closure of US 42 in mid-May for installation and recommended drivers prepare for detours.

Public concerns and responses
Residents raised site-specific questions: a resident asked about cracked sidewalks and a misaligned curb on Park Avenue; Barunka said contractors will return to remedy cracked sidewalks and that the city has not accepted final work while retainage remains. Questions about narrow turning radii at a New Street–Broadway intersection prompted staff to schedule field inspections and consider signage or parking changes to improve sight distance.

Next steps
Several major projects are expected to move into construction later this year; Gloucester Road’s roundabout and its associated US 42 closure have been scheduled for late spring. The city invites further public input on sidewalk placement and neighborhood impacts as contractor designs progress.