Sidewalk repairs are being conducted throughout Cuba along the city’s main thoroughfare. The improvements, a project of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), are being done along the stretch of Highway 19 that runs through Cuba’s city limits. Workers have already begun making the improvements.

Sidewalk improvements being made along Highway 19.

While it is not a complete sidewalk restoration project, the work calls for pouring new entrances at all street corners to allow for better handicapped accessibility. Public Works Director Bob Baldwin commented on the project, even though it is not being done by city employees due to the fact that MoDOT maintains the right-of-way along the state highway: “They are pouring new concrete wherever there is a curb cut or an access area on both sides of 19,” said Baldwin. “I believe this is a requirement to meet handicap guidelines and it will be an improvement to the sidewalks, for sure.”

West Contracting was hired by MoDOT to conduct the work. They started on the south side of town, near Cuba Elementary, and have been working their way north. Sidewalks have been temporarily closed in some places where they are under construction.

Even though city employees are not directly involved in the Highway 19 repairs, that doesn’t mean they aren’t busy working on sidewalks in other parts of town. Sidewalk improvements have been—and continue to be—something that the city puts an emphasis upon.

“We definitely have been working on our sidewalks, trying to get to the ones that need it the most first,” said Baldwin.

According to Joe Miller, whose crew is responsible for most of the city’s ongoing sidewalk restoration work, repairs have been made recently at North Springfield Road and Route 66. He is now heading east on the north side of Spencer Street. The corner of Florence and Forest streets was repaired, along with a handicap entryway at Buchanan and School streets.