Nichlos Road redesign takes next step

Osage Beach has taken the next step in upgrading a portion of what is expected to become a major intersection west of the Grand Glaize Bridge.

The board of aldermen Thursday night awarded an engineering services contract to HR Green to redesign Nichols Road from the Highway 54 expressway to near Osage Beach Parkway. The design will include a roundabout, landscaping and other features to create a boulevard-style roadway. A similar design was used for the reconstruction of Passover Road, including the roundabout.

The roundabout will be designed for a new entrance to the Lake Regional Hospital campus, and Lake Regional Health Systems will participate in the estimated $1.1 million project.

Cost of design services is estimated at $129,200. Engineering should be completed by the end of 2013 so construction can begin in 2014.

Property has been purchased and the area will be widened to accommodate the increased traffic and provide safe access to Lake Regional, the city's largest employer.

The project was first made public last February when it was announced that the city and LRHS would partner in the project. LRHS is expected to pay for the driveway from Nichols into its property near the Imaging Center. No breakdown of cost is available as yet.

Since the Expressway opened last year, Nichols Road from the highway to Osage Beach Parkway has seen an increase in traffic. Ambulances that serve the lake area now use the expressway, which has resulted in higher use of Nichols Road.

In addition, Camdenton School District's Osage Beach Elementary School will be relocated from Osage Beach Parkway to Nichols Road across from Sycamore Creek Golf Course clubhouse. Occupancy of the new school is anticipated for the 2014-15 school year.

Additional traffic from Osage Beach Parkway onto Nichols is anticipated because of the new school.

Lee C. Fine Airport

There were no comments during a public hearing on the city's request to extend the lease of Lee C. Fine Airport from the Department of Natural Resources for five more years.

As a result, the board authorized the mayor to request a five-year lease extension of the agreement to lease and operate the airport.

The board also authorized the mayor to pursue a grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to assist in funding the design and construction of fox hangars at Lee C. Fine. The city's portion of the engineering and construction will be $44,754.

At its June meeting, the board approved a contract in the amount of $688,272 for construction of a four pre-engineered box hangars at Lee C. Fine. The bid includes construction of a fourth hangar. Low bidder was Curtiss-Maynes-Schulte, Inc., of Eldon.