A: All the work is being done with State funding (either a 0.5% loan or grant monies). The State releases the funding on their schedule, which was in mid-Spring (loan) or early Summer (grant). Contractors are not allowed to commence the project until the funding is received. This meant that our projects could not start any earlier than they did.

Q: Why is so much work being done at the same time?

A: There are two reasons for the widespread nature of the work; 1) We were very successful in landing the funding for this year and it has to be spent this year, and 2) The contractor is trying to minimize the total number of disruptive days by using multiple crews.

Q: How is the City communicating the schedule of work?

A: If you are reading this, then you are receiving our weekly emails. The emails are distributed to every media outlet in the area, to each governmental agency in Ephrata, to the Chamber of Commerce, the Ephrata Schools, emergency responders, and to anyone else who requests it. We also post the schedule on the City's website (http://www.ephrata.org/index.php?page_id=286), and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CityofEphrata).

Additionally, City personnel will contact large organizations who may be impacted. In parallel with our efforts, the contractor also has the responsibility of notifying each residence, business, and/or agency who may be disrupted.

We understand that construction is difficult and creates annoyances. We only have a few more weeks until the projects wrap up and we can all enjoy our new waterlines and freshly paved streets.

If you have any feedback, or additional questions, please contact me at any time. In the event of an emergency after hours or on the weekend, please call dispatch at (509)762-1160

News Release (Sept 17-21)

News Release (Sept 24-28)

Do you have questions about the City's efforts to replace aging water lines and decrepit streets? Below are several pieces of information for your convenience. Special thanks to the Columbia Basin Herald, Grant County Journal and Seattle Times for allowing us to link or post their materials.

Click on the underlined links and read away! If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Wes Crago, City Administrator, at (509)754-4601.

City Hall Project Information: Project Map, Street Commision Report, Public Works Trust Fund Loan Application, Project Presentation.

Columbia Basin Herald Article - re: Future Maintenance
Seattle Times Article - re: Rural Communities and Funding Dilemmas

Grant County Journal articles, editorials (ed) and advertisements (ad):

MONTH DATE

February, 2007 26

March, 2007 1, 8, 12, 15(ed)

April, 2007 5(ad), 9, 12(ad), 19(ad), 23, 26(ad), 30, 30(ad),

May, 2007 3, 14