The City of Ripon continues to see more road improvements.

The latest is the South of Main Street Resurfacing Project that’s being handled by American Pavement Systems, Inc.

The Modesto construction company was awarded the project consisting of resurfacing various streets in the area of Vera Avenue, Fourth Street, Seventh Street, and Robert Avenue back in April.

A change order in August called for the reconstructing of Third Street.

The Ripon City Council recently approved a third change order – the other took place in November with the removal and replacing of the striping on South Highland Avenue and Canal Boulevard – for the regrading of Third Street coupled with the installation of reflective markers on Canal Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

The amount of that was “not to exceed” $57,176, paid via the Street & Road Operating Fund and the Water Enterprise Capital Fund.

According the Jan. 14 staff report, American Pavement Systems, Inc. completed the grading of Third Street prior to replacing the water main, which was in need of replacement.

“Once the contractor completed the water line and service connections to the properties along Third Street, the roadway needed to be re-graded,” the report said.

Next came the placement of reflectors along South Highland Avenue and Canal Boulevard – required here were the city standard blue reflectors along the centerline of the roadways to show the locations of the fire hydrants.

An additional material was then used above the estimated amounts for slurry seal and the 3-layer system treatments.

During the construction of the project, the report said that contractors are required to track the actual quality of materials used to complete the contract improvements.

The amended cost per contract is currently at about $2 million – the original bid was about $1.57 million with another $480,000 or so with the three change orders.

Road improvements continue to be one of the priorities for elected leaders.