By Erica Thomas, managing editor
LEEDS — The city of Leeds will soon begin the largest roads project in the city’s history.
The city was approved for a loan program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The $2.7 million loan will be used to pay for repaying of roads in every district within city limits, according to Mayor David Miller.
“This is the largest paving project ever done in the city of Leeds,” said Miller. “These are important improvements in every district of the city.”
Roads were chosen based on a rating system that considered the type of road, the condition of the road and the amount of traffic on the road.
The plans for the project include 15 miles of paving. The estimated cost of the work is $2.27 million.
“Instead of giving each district a certain amount of money, we are paving by need,” Miller added.
The city will have 20 years to pay off the loan, which will include around 3% interest.
The roadwork is expected to begin in July 2020. Central Alabama Asphalt & Construction Co. has been selected to complete the project.
Mayor Miller said this is a large project that will complement other road projects underway in Leeds.
“People may not recognize but even before we undertake this, many miles of paving has been done, not necessarily by the city itself, but at the request of the city,” Miller said.
The city of Leeds has not provided a complete list of roads that will be paved.
