Staff writer
It is inconvenient, but there is no other choice.
Eisenhower Road in Marion, which is the only major street that leads to the town’s baseball/softball complex, is currently under construction.
The road was full of potholes, and something needed to be done.
The construction is part of a grant program, which stated the repairs had to happen at a certain time before funds became unavailable.
Currently, only northbound traffic is allowed because of construction on the west side of the road, and anyone wanting to enter from U.S.-56 is out of luck.
Cones are set up along the southbound lane, and a ditch runs along the side as repairs are being made.
To enter the complex a driver must turn north on Eisenhower from U.S.-256 or Denver Road. Another option would be to come south on Eisenhower from U.S.-56 because from the baseball/softball complex to U.S.-256 is considering county road and is not being repaired.
Heading north on Eisenhower to U.S.-56 is the only option when leaving the complex.
Even Kellison Road, a gravel road that runs east/west and leads into the complex, is closed. Everything south of Kellison is considered within city limits.
The project, in a high-traffic area, raised questions.
Marion High School baseball coach Shaun Craft told his players to be careful on the road before the construction began.
“The last thing we need is someone getting hurt on their way to practice,” Craft said.
However, Craft knows it needs to be done, and street superintendent Marty Fredrickson said in the end it will be safer travel for everyone.
“They have made pretty good progress,” Fredrickson said. “After it’s done everyone will appreciate it.”
Fredrickson said the contractor, Smoky Hills, has 120 days to complete the project, which began March 24.
“They chose now so they would be done by football season and the start of school,” Fredrickson said.
The construction will last roughly four months which means it will go through the end of REC baseball and softball seasons.
REC director Margo Yates echoed Fredrickson’s statements.
“It definitely needed to be done, so we just have to hang in there,” Yates said. “It will be well-worth the inconvenience.
“We would just like to ask everyone to be careful.”
The months ahead
Fredrickson said when the construction on the west side of Eisenhower is complete, the project will move to the east side of the street.
However, traffic will remain northbound.
Cones will be set up on the east side of the road and drivers will proceed north on the west side of the street.
Once the west side is complete Kellison could be re-opened Fredrickson said.
However, he is not sure if drivers will be allowed to enter the complex from Kellison while crossing Eisenhower.
“I was kind of surprised they took the radius that far,” Fredrickson said of the construction that shut down Kellison.
He knows it is not the ideal situation, but feels confident the decision for repair was the correct one.
“If (everyone) can all bear with us, it will be worth it in the end,” he said.