Council approves $6.4 million contract for new High School Road project

Council removed the high‑school road construction contract from the consent agenda for discussion and requested an overview of scope and cost.

Elizabeth Quillesy, assistant director of the capital engineering department, briefed the council on the project. "It's about 1.3 miles long. It's a 4 lane roadway with a center turn lane," Quillesy said. She described turn lanes along the school side and Old Italy Road, three culverts, a ditch on the west side, and a planned traffic signal at US 77.

Quillesy told council staff is coordinating with the Spur 394 work and expects construction will take about a year and a half, with the goal of finishing before the school opens in August. Councilman Wright said when a project reaches the $6.4 million level it should be discussed publicly rather than remain on consent; after discussion the council moved to approve the contract and the motion carried.

Council also discussed a future agenda item to consider possible names for the roadway, including a requested name of Eastom Parkway. The council authorized the mayor and city manager to execute necessary documents related to the contract.