BEATRICE – A canoe and kayak river launch near the West Court Street bridge in Beatrice is nearing completion.  The access point is off a concrete stretch that formerly served as an entrance to the now-closed Memorial Drive. Lottman Excavating, of Beatrice has been doing the project.


City Engineer James Burroughs says the seeding of the site is being done this week.  "All the grading has been completed on that...the storm sewer pipe, the storm sewer inlet...a new check valve is installed....concrete headwall is installed.....rock rip-rap is installed."


The main task yet to be completed is putting in rock on the roadway to the launch.


On another project, the Beatrice City Council will consider a bid next Monday to install a parking area at the Chief Standing Bear Trailhead, along South 6th.


A major future project is reconstructing Lincoln Street between North 6th and North 19th. City officials are preparing to request proposals from companies for design of Lincoln Street reconstruction. It’s one of the most heavily traveled streets in the city, accessing the Beatrice State Developmental Center, Lincoln Elementary School, the Gage County Courthouse…and serving as a direct connection between 19th Street and U.S. Highway 77.


One of the decisions to be made is whether to tackle the Lincoln Street project all at once or break it up into phases. Officials have discussed turning the asphalt street into a concrete surface.