The city of Lincoln is moving forward on a streets project, having directed the city engineer to put together a feasibility report.

The city council held a special meeting last week directing Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson's Roger Berg, contracting with Lincoln as city engineer, to do a feasibility report for a street improvement project.

At this week's regular monthly meeting on Thursday evening, the council will consider resolutions to create and define the street improvement district and to direct preparation of an engineer's report and cost estimate.

Berg said the feasibility report will provide alternatives and levels of improvements to be made.

"The streets are generally in fairly good condition. There are about four areas that are in need of reconstruction," Berg said.

The feasibility study will include crack repair, patching and chip seal of the streets comprising the original townsite, which according to Berg is a fairly minimal improvement. The last street repair of any major consequence occurred 10 years ago when a chip seal of the streets took place.

Earlier this month, the city conducted a public meeting on possible street projects. Berg said reactions were mixed and that a handful of residents were somewhat opposed, with concerns over special assessments.

Once the city council decides on what course to take, it will have to approve a resolution of necessity, which will open a 30-day protest period, according to auditor Melanie Chaska. Berg said that, should 50 percent of the landowners file written protest, the council will have to determine a sufficiency of protest and throw the project out.

Council member Bob Johnston said there is a section in the Custer Street area that is in bad condition and throughout the street system there are areas with spider cracks that need attention.

"There's no potholes out there swallowing any cars, but some improvements are needed," Johnston said. "There were about 15 to 20 people at our public meeting, and some were in opposition. They were worried about what the special assessments might be."

The KLJ study will provide the council with at least three options on what level of maintenance should take place, according to Johnston. The council also could decide to do nothing. If the council chooses a project, public hearings will be set up.

"We voted to get the report at our special meeting and, once we have the options and estimated costs, we'll go from there," Johnston said.

Should a project go ahead this summer, the city's special assessment committee will determine benefits and assign costs upon the project's completion.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)