The overlay on Roelker Road was completed by Mid Rivers Asphalt last month and the second phase of that project is nearing completion, according to Wright City Public Works Director Kyle Roettger. 

He provided an update on the condition of Roelker Road as well as scheduling for an overlay of Indian Head Lodge Road at the Wright City Board of Aldermen’s June 26 meeting. 

Roettger continued saying the remaining work includes repainting the road at the four-way stop as well as the crosswalk on the road. 

The board approved a bid from Mid Rivers Asphalt for just over $400,000 during a special meeting on June 2. 

The funds for that project are being taken from the city’s $6.5-million bond issue for road improvements that was passed by voters in the April 2024 election. 

The public works department also plans to reshape the ditch line north of the railroad tracks on the road to improve stormwater flow. Roettger said that work will be conducted once the department receives a new V-bucket attachment for the skid-steer. 

He said they will also regrade some of the gravel entrances that line the road. 

Aldermen were pleased with the work that was done and praised both Roettger and Mid Rivers Asphalt for the road’s improved condition. 

“Roelker looks amazing,” said Aldermen Karey Owens.

Alderman Kim Arbuthnot agreed, saying she was not complaining and that the newly overlaid road was “gorgeous.”

Mayor Michelle Heiliger said the city had also met with the Wright City R-II School District in the final week of June to discuss the third phase of the project and to resolve some issues with the ditch line of the road on school property. 

Heiliger said the school district was taking the information back to their contractor and would communicate with the city if there was anything else they needed. 

“They’re going to work together to resolve what needs to happen out there so they will come back to us with any needs,” said Heiliger. 

The city will also be meeting with electric companies in the coming weeks to discuss the remaining utility poles in the city’s right of way. Heiliger said they plan to briefly close the road some time in July so workers can remove those utility poles without distractions. 

“We’re going to close that section of the road just so that they can get those poles moved without having to worry about cars,” said Heiliger. “It doesn’t take a long time, but I told them that I would close the road for them for safety.”

Phase three of the project will include widening the road in front of the Wright City High School in order to add a turn lane. 

Heiliger also said at the meeting the city has contracted with Lewis and Bade Inc. to survey for the overlay of Indian Head Lodge Road at a cost of $8,000-$12,000. Mid Rivers Asphalt is also the contractor for Indian Head Lodge Road and that bid was approved, along with a cost-share agreement with residents of the road for roughly $68,000 at the board’s June 12 meeting. 

Residents were able to raise just over $62,000 to cover the majority of the costs associated with the project. 

Heiliger said Mid Rivers had given them a rough time frame of mid-to-late July for the overlay of the road. 

“They’re being very cordial with and trying to work us into their schedule, so we will keep pushing forward,” said Heiliger.