By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

The process to begin the earthwork for the new Junction City High School is picking up speed. City, County and USD 475 leaders were informed this week that the work could possibly begin in early March.

The due date for the return of the proposals requested for the project from contractors is this Friday. If the Board of Education gives approval in mid-February, a contract could be awarded, equipment could begin to arrive on site by Feb. 25 with groundbreaking in early March. Also, a maintenance agreement has to be completed between the school district and the county for Munson Road before the work can commence. That road would be a haul road for big trucks.

The local leaders learned the goal is to build the super structure of the school and then the outside ballfields, with the school opening for use by students in August 2021.

County Commissioner Keith Ascher was among those briefed.

“I was a little more impressed today because we finally got some timeline, something concrete or at least the timeline they’re shooting for,” he said. “So, from that standpoint, it was well worthwhile.”

The package value on just the earthwork for the project has been estimated at $3 million.