Bellingrath Lakes Road Repair to Continue

By Dave Freneaux

In the Monday called meeting of the City Council, PEC Engineers reported on its findings concerning road repair problems in Bellingrath Lakes subdivision.  Soil samples taken over the past week indicate the need to do more extensive work, adding lime to the soil in the roadbeds in order to continue the work.  The Council voted to approve the additional expense, expected to be near $177,000, giving the roads a better chance of remaining in good condition for at least 7 to 10 years.  The engineers do not feel this measure will give the roads the 10 to 20 year life most roads of this type have, but alternative solutions such as concrete roads or changing the water levels in the lakes are either too costly or can't be done without further study as to how this might affect the foundations of homes.
 
It is suspected that the level of the water in the lakes throughout the subdivision is causing the premature failure of the roads.  While the Council seemed hesitant to spend tax dollars on less than a permanent solution, the current condition of the roads and the amount of work already done left no other apparent solution.  Discussion by Council members indicated a desire to relieve the current crisis for the residents of Bellingrath Lakes, but emphasized the need to find a long term solution to the problem.