As previously reported by Patch, despite the opposition of some residents, the City of Olivette is moving forward with the Old Bonhomme Road repair project and recently selected a company to purchase the property needed for the project.
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Some residents who live along the two-mile stretch of road between University City and Olive Boulevard are not on board with with the city's plans to repair road. They've told city council members in the past that the road work will have a significant impact on property values and the charm that led them to the neighborhood.
City officials, however, say the Old Bonhomme Road improvements are necessary and the city's Director of Public Services posted the following letter on the city's website earlier this year to explain why.
Dear Resident:
Old Bonhomme Road is Olivette’s most highly utilized city maintained street. It is approximately 2 miles long, extending from the eastern end to very near the western end of the City.
Many of us who live, work or play in Olivette travel Old Bonhomme Road regularly. It is utilized by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. It serves many of us by allowing us to get to our homes, places of work, schools, parks, etc.
It has been many years since Old Bonhomme Road has received any significant maintenance work and, unfortunately, it shows. The City has effectively demonstrated the importance which Old Bonhomme Road has to the community and the road’s need for improvement. As a result, the City has received approximately $2,000,000 in federal funding for the improvement of Old Bonhomme from its intersection with Olive Boulevard to its intersection with Price Road.
These improvements include the removal and replacement of all concrete curbs and gutters, construction of 5’wide sidewalks replacing 4’ wide sidewalks, removal of the top wearing surface of the asphalt roadway and installation of a new asphalt surface, and removal and reconstruction of all parts of the roadway which require replacement.
The process to affect these improvements is just beginning. You will soon see a survey crew from Volz Engineering, the City’s surveying and engineering consultant, in the area gathering information. That information will be utilized to prepare preliminary concept plans which will be made available for all members of the community to review and make comment. We plan to accomplish these aspects of the project this year. Refinement and development of the plans, as well as actual construction of the project are planned for 2013.
If you have any questions or comments concerning this project, please don’t hesitate to contact me atmgartenberg@olivettemo.com or 983-0500.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Michael W. Gartenberg, MCM
Director of Public Services
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