Despite appearance, projects on schedule

Freeman Concrete Construction Co. employees, from left, Arturo Martinez, Derrick Smith, Javier Chavez and Scott Tice pour new sidewalks Tuesday along 19th Street just west of Louisiana Street. With school set to start in mid-August crews are working hard to complete the $1.2 million street-widening project. Orange barricades. Big tractors. Sweaty workers. They make a perfect combination near 19th and Louisiana streets, where the clock is ticking for construction workers to finish what city engineers call the most challenging road project of the year. Lawrence-based LRM Industries, the contractor working on the project, is expected to be finished in less than two weeks. It’s a target that is realistic, but only if Mother Nature cooperates, said Chuck Soules, public works director. “Pending weather, we’re on schedule,” he said.... [read full story]