Jasper OKs streets striping

Friday, January 1, 1904

Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

JASPER, Tenn. - City leaders have been getting an increasing number of complaints about barely visible center lines for several heavily traveled roads around Jasper.

Mayor Paul Evans said 13.6 miles of road within the city limits need to be restriped, but the cost for the work is more than the town can afford.

"We're in the process of working on our budget [for the next fiscal year]," he said. "The money is not there for the full project."

After contacting Volunteer Highway Supply in Crossville, Tenn., recently about the work, Evans said the job was priced at $450 per mile, per stripe.

"They're in Kimball working on the interstate right now," he said. "So since they have a truck down there right now, they're willing to come up [to Jasper] and do this striping for us at a price of $400 per mile."

To do all of the needed striping would cost the city about $5,500.

Evans said he narrowed the list of needs down to "something we can afford."

Last week, the Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously to approve about five miles of striping on the roads with the greatest needs.

Officials said the work will cost about $2,000.

"If you've been out on these streets when it's raining, you can't see the center line," Evans said. "I'm sure [the other board members] have had calls just like I have. The money is there to do this."

Alderman Steve Looney acknowledged receiving some complaints about invisible center lines on some roads. He made the motion to approve the striping.

The new striping will include East Valley Road from U.S. Highway 41 to Mel Dixon Highway, parts of Valley View Highway, and parts of First Street East and Academy Street.

All of the striping will be double yellow lines, Evans said.

Officials did not say when the work will begin or whether the other streets identified for the full project will be striped when more money becomes available.

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.