Azerbaijan has not been disclosing its military death toll. But the government said Saturday that 14 civilians were killed in Ganja, Azerbaijans second-largest city, in an overnight missile attack by Armenia.

Officials say that more than half the people of Nagorno-Karabakh have fled their homes, though the martial law currently in effect bars men of military age from leaving the territory. Those who stayed behind include women who want to be close to their husbands, sons and fathers sent to the front lines. The coronavirus is far down the list of peoples worries, even though international aid organizations warn that cramped bomb shelters are spreading infection.

Alyona Shakhramanyan, 33, and her neighbors from the fifth floor of an apartment building in Shusha, the hilltop town, moved three weeks ago into a section of their dirt-floor basement. They fashioned a door out of a sheet of corrugated plastic and taped cardboard over the openings in the concrete walls. One of the women is sick a cold, they say, that she caught because of the drafty air.

Ms. Shakhramanyans brother, who, like her husband, is at the front, has not been answering his phone. When she went outside to do laundry the previous day, she was frightened by the buzz of a drone. Rocket artillery hit the nearby Holy Savior Cathedral twice earlier this month, and the paving stones outside it were still stained with the blood of a Russian journalist critically injured in the second strike.

No one helps us here, Ms. Shakhramanyan said. We are on our own.

At the military cemetery in Stepanakert, the resting place of fighters who died in the 1990s, the authorities removed a retaining wall and dug into a hillside to make way for the new casualties. Amid the artificial-flower wreaths and simple grave sites on the freshly graded, rocky dirt, a man whose brother was gone spread his arms in grief.

These are fresh our guys, he cried, his voice trailing off. What is there to say?

Go here to read the rest:
At Front Lines of Armenia-Azerbaijan Fighting, Death and Fear Reign - The New York Times

District 47 - West TN Northern

CARROLL COUNTY, SR-22A: Bridge repair in Huntingdon over Brier Creek at LM 0.34 and over CSX Railroad at LM 3.10.Restrictions: Monday, March 9, 2020: SR 22A will be reduced to one lane traffic with a traffic signal system.

CARROLL COUNTY, SR 22: The resurfacing on SR 22 from the end of the curb and gutter in Clarksburg to Bennetts Lane will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER, LAKE, OBION COUNTY, SR-78: The resurfacing on SR 78 from SR 103 in Dyer County, through Obion County to south of SR 79 in Lake County will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US-51): The repair of bridges on US 51 (SR 3) over SR 211 in Dyersburg will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 55 MPH.

Restrictions: Sunday, July 19, 2020: Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction with a 12 lane restriction.

DYER COUNTY, SR-3 (US 51): The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 51 (SR 3) from near SR 105 in Dyer County to South Main Street in Obion County.

DYER COUNTY, SR-20 (US-412): The resurfacing on SR 20 from US 51 (SR 3) to the Crockett County line will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-104: The resurfacing on SR 104 from SR 182 to the SR 181 including bridge deck repair will cause temporary lane closures throughout the project.

DYER COUNTY, SR-211 (West Main Street):Monday, October 19, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: This section of roadway will be temporary closed from MM 9.7 to MM 9.8, near downtown Newbern, for demolition of a building.

GIBSON COUNTY, SR-5:Monday, September 21, 2020, through Saturday, October 31, 2020: There will be a closure of the right southbound lane and shoulder on SR 5 (north side of Humboldt) for construction of turning lane for Tyson S.I.A. route.

HENDERSON COUNTY (New Lexington By-Pass): The grading, drainage, construction of bridges and retaining walls, signals and paving on US 412 (SR 459) from US 412 (SR 20) west of Lexington to near SR 22 south of Lexington. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

HENRY COUNTY, SR-54: The grading, drainage, construction of bridges, retaining wall and paving on SR 54 from near Rison Street to near Smith Road. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH.

Restrictions: Monday, November 25, 2019: Bridge work on SR 54 at LM 12.02 (Bridge nearest Guthrie) is causing a 10 lane restriction. *Traffic has been shifted to Phase 3 of traffic control.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 2): Grading, drainage, construction of eight bridges on future I-69 from south of US 51 (SR 3) to south of US 45W (SR 5) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

OBION COUNTY, Future I-69 (Phase 3): Grading, drainage, construction of bridges and paving on future I-69 from west of SR 21 to US 51 (SR 3) will cause possible lane closures throughout the project.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020: Bethlehem Road north from Clifford Rives Road to Lindenwood Road will be closed. Claude Tucker Road north from Cloys Road to Section Line Road will be closed. Detour routes are posted.

WEAKLEY COUNTY, SR-22 (US 45E): The repair of the ramp bridge on US 45E (SR 22) over SR 431 will cause the ramp to be closed. A detour to SR 431 is provided.

District 48 - West TN Middle/Southern

CROCKETT COUNTY, SR-20: The miscellaneous safety improvements on US 412 (SR 20) from near the SR 54 ramp (LM 10.40) to Old SR 20 (South Cavalier Drive) (LM 12.80) may cause possible temporary lane closures both eastbound and westbound.

HARDIN COUNTY, SR-69: The construction of a Bulb Tee bridge over Doe Creek along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 69 at LM 10.06. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, SR-19 (Brownsville Bypass): The construction of an I-Beam bridge along with grading, drainage, and paving may cause temporary lane closures on SR 19 (Brownsville Bypass) from east of SR 87 to west of Windrow Rd. One lane will remain. Motorists should watch for trucks entering and exiting the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 45 MPH within the project limits. Shaw Chapel and King Road will be closed at SR 19 and a detour put in place on August 27, 2020.

HENDERSON COUNTY, SR-20: The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 412 (SR 20) from Crucifer Road to near Sea Horse Drive will cause temporary lane closures daily.

HENDERSON COUNTY, SR-20: The resurfacing with hot in-place recycling on US 412 (SR 20) from east of SR 22 to near the Chesterfield By-Pass, including bridge expansion joint repair and thin epoxy overlay will cause temporary lane closures daily.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-5: The repair of the bridges on US 45 (SR 5) over Overflow (LM 11.17), near the fairgrounds, will cause temporary lane closures. One lane will remain open at all times.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186 (US 45 Bypass) and I-40: Interchange improvements on SR 186 (US 45) north and southbound from the I-40 ramps to Old Hickory Blvd for paving and construction of retaining walls. Widening of I-40 from just east of Exit 79 to just east of Exit 82.

Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 17, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 17, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: I-40 eastbound and westbound will have intermittent lane closure at Exit 82 to allow for installation of overhead signs and opening of phase 1 of the off ramps. (BACKUP DATE: Sunday, October 18, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Monday, October 19 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

LOOK AHEADThursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 24, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

Saturday, October 24, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: I-40 eastbound and westbound will have intermittent lane closure at Exit 82 to allow for installation of overhead signs and opening of phase 1 of the on ramps.(BACKUP DATE: Sunday, October 25, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Monday, October 26 through Wednesday, October 28, 9:00 a.m.3:00 p.m.: SR 5 (Highland Avenue) will have intermittent left and right lane closures both north and southbound from Vann Drive to the Carriage House/Ridgecrest intersection for bridge construction activities.

MADISON COUNTY, SR-186: The resurfacing on U.S. 45BP (S.R. 186) from Channing Way (L.M. 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (L.M. 8.18), including bridge expansion joint repair and thin epoxy overlay.

Sunday, October 18 through Friday, October 23, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: Intermittent lane closures north and southbound for resurfacing on US 45BP (SR 186) from Channing Way (LM 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (LM 8.18).

LOOK AHEADSunday, October 25 through Friday, October 30, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: Intermittent lane closures north and southbound for resurfacing on US 45BP (SR 186) from Channing Way (LM 4.40) to Passmore Lane Overpass (LM 8.18).

MCNAIRY COUNTY, SR-57: The resurfacing with hot in place recycling on SR 57 from the Ramer City Limits (LM 12.00) to the Hardin County Line (LM 24.67), including bridge expansion joint repair will cause intermittent lane closures daily.

TDOT District 48 MAINTENANCE:Wednesday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures at various locations in Region IV in order to repair pavement on an as needed basis.

District 48 Floating Maintenance-Asphalt Resurfacing (TDOT Floating Maintenance):Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 186 (45 Bypass), both north and southbound in Madison County LM 0.00-0.40 to repair damaged sections of asphalt. Weather Permitting.

REGION IV Snowplowable Markers:Wednesday, October 14 through Wednesday, October 21, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be possible lane closures I-40 (MM 27.02- MM 45.54) in Fayette, (MM 45.54- MM 67.08) in Haywood, (MM 67.08-MM 94.95) in Madison, (MM 94.95-MM-119.65) in Henderson, (MM-119.65 MM-120.24) in Carroll, (MM 120.24- MM 125.89) in Decatur, and (MM 125.89- MM 134.70) in Benton counties at various locations for replacement of pavement markers.

LOOK AHEADWednesday, October 21 through Wednesday, October 28, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be possible lane closures I-40 (MM 27.02- MM 45.54) in Fayette, (MM 45.54- MM 67.08) in Haywood, (MM 67.08-MM 94.95) in Madison, (MM 94.95-MM-119.65) in Henderson, (MM-119.65 MM-120.24) in Carroll, (MM 120.24- MM 125.89) in Decatur, and (MM 125.89- MM 134.70) in Benton counties at various locations for replacement of pavement markers.

District 49 - West TN SouthwestFAYETTE COUNTY, SR-196: The repair of bridge over Shaw Creek will cause a lane closure with temporary traffic signal near MM 7.0.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, SR-19: The resurfacing with hot-in-place recycling on SR 19 from near Eastland Avenue to Haywood County Line will cause temporary lane closures daily.

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, SR-88: The resurfacing with full depth reclamation on SR 88 from Dee Webb Road to Key Corner Road, including bridge deck repairs will cause temporary lane closures daily.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-3: Resurfacing on SR 3 (Union Ave) from Bellevue Blvd to BB King Blvd.Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 3 east and westbound between Bellevue Blvd and B.B. King Blvd for asphalt paving operations. One lane in each direction will remain open. Weather Permitting.

LOOK AHEAD:Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 3 east and westbound between Bellevue Blvd and B.B. King Blvd for asphalt paving operations. One lane in each direction will remain open. Weather Permitting.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Resurfacing on SR 14 from the Mississippi State Line to SR 175Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.: There will be temporary lane closures on SR 14 (Third Street) north and southbound for resurfacing. One lane will remain open in each direction.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: The grading, drainage, construction of concrete Bulb-Tee and I-beam bridges, signals and paving on SR 14 from east of Old Covington Pike to SR 385 will cause possible lane closures throughout the project. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-14: Construction on SR 14 for a widening project from SR 385 to east of Kerrville Rosemark Rd. There will be possible temporary lane closures throughout the project. Access to SR-14 from McCalla Rd West will be permanently detoured to Donnell Rd. *Speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205: The resurfacing on SR 205 from SR-14 to Armour Rd will cause temporary lane closures.

SHELBY COUNTY, SR-205: The addition of turn lanes on SR 205 (Airline Rd) from Brooks River Drive to south of I-40 will have lane closures throughout the project.Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be intermittent lane closures on SR 205 north and southbound from Brooks River Drive (LM-15.75) to just south of I-40 (LM-16.07) to perform temporary road widening work. There will be one lane traffic with flaggers present at times. *Speed limit has been reduced to 35 MPH. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 MAINTENANCE:Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be possible lane closures on all interstates and state routes in District 49 for routine maintenance activities on an as needed basis.

TDOT District 49 Emergency Reference Marker InstallationWednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime lane closures at various locations in Shelby County on I-40 westbound, MM 0.0MM 18.6; I-240 eastbound, MM 12.0MM 31.0, and I-55 southbound, MM 5.8MM 12.4. One lane will be CLOSED to install new Emergency Reference Markers. Weather Permitting.

TDOT District 49 On-Call Guardrail/Concrete Barrier Rail Repair:Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be night time lane closures at various locations on SR 3 (Shelby County), SR 385 (Shelby County), SR 14 (Shelby County), SR 15 (Shelby County), I-40 (Fayette and Shelby Counties), I-269 (Shelby and Fayette Counties),I-55 and I-240. One lane will be CLOSED to repair damaged guardrail. THP will assist with traffic control. Weather Permitting.

Thursday, October 15 through Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: There will be daytime lane closures at various locations in Shelby County, SR 205, MM 2.32.5, Lauderdale County, SR 3, MM 10.024.0, Tipton County, SR 206, MM 2.302.37, and Tipton, SR 59, MM 20.620.65. One lane will be closed. Flagmen will be used to direct traffic where necessary. Weather Permitting.

Wednesday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 20, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at the I-55 southbound EXIT 5A off ramp to eastbound Brooks Rd and at the I-55 southbound EXIT 7 on ramp from SR 14 southbound. Weather Permitting. If weather prohibits, the closures will be on the next available night.

LOOK AHEAD:Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27, 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.: There will be nighttime ramp closures in Shelby County at the I-55 NB ON ramp from EXIT 12C (Metal Museum Drive), I-55 southbound EXIT 5A off ramp to eastbound Brooks Rd, I-55 southbound EXIT 7 on ramp from SR 14 southbound, I-240 EB ON ramp from Union Avenue, and I-240 EB ON ramp from SB Airways. Weather Permitting.

NON-TDOT/City of Memphis workSHELBY COUNTY, I-40: Memphis Cook Convention CenterMonday, October 7, 2019, 6:00 a.m. through Wednesday, October 28, 2020: On October 7, 2019 the exit ramp from I-40 eastbound (Exit 1, Front Street) was fully closed for upgrades to the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The ramp split to Riverside Dr. will remain open. Traffic will be controlled by signage and traffic barrels. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through work zones.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at http://www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel or for West Tennessee follow https://twitter.com/NicLawrenceTDOT.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We dont want to lose another member of our TDOT family. Were asking you to WORK WITH US. Click on the WORK WITH US logo to learn more.

See more here:
West Tennessee Weekly Construction October 14-21, 2020 - tn.gov

After more than a decade of efforts to secure funding for a multi-purpose, paved trail connecting Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail, the Minnesota Legislature included $2 million in its recent bonding bill for the trail spur.

A citizens-led committee had asked for a $3.8 million appropriation to complete the first phase of the project. Hopes of receiving the request were considered slim in June, after a bonding bill failed to pass during the regular legislative session.

After announcing to committee members that $2 million was in the final bonding bill, State Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) said the rest of the funding $1.8 million will come from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"The DNR has said they will add the balance to get the tunnel and trail into the park completed in phase one," Utke said. "Good luck and let the project begin!"

The first phase of the project involves building a 1.75-mile trail from the Itasca State Park contact station to U.S. Hwy. 71, a tunnel under the highway with a retaining wall and a 1.96-mile trail east of the tunnel toward Emmaville, where it would connect with an existing snowmobile trail.

The committee has been actively developing a plan for the Itasca-Heartland Connection, with input from a variety of stakeholders, DNR staff, Hubbard County Land Management Department staff, two county commissioners and trail users, such as hunters, snowmobilers and bicyclists.

With everything that it happening in the country and state now, it is indeed a pleasure and honor this state trail will provide a recreational connection to Itasca State Park and the Heartland Trail for all county residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy, said Eric Haugland, chairperson of the citizen committee. We would like to thank Sen. Paul Utke for his support as well as Rep. John Persell and the Hubbard County commissioners, specifically Char Christenson and Tom Krueger who have shown special interest in the trail, and for Hubbard County Land Commissioner Chip Lohmeier for his efforts since the start on discussion of a trail.

Legislators who sponsored the Itasca-Heartland Connection bonding bill included Sen. Utke and Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) and Rep. Persell (DFL-Bemidji), Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul).

In coordination with the committee, the DNR conducted preliminary engineering work to determine a trail corridor and cost estimates.

The Heartland Trail Spur, if funded, would connect bikers, hikers and snowmobilers on a 24-mile jaunt from CSAH 4 to Itasca State Park. (Map courtesy of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Tunnel construction accounts for nearly half of the $3.8 million cost, but a handout for legislators notes this initial phase will give the park a scenic and secluded out-and-back trail for cyclists that complements the currently busy in-park trail, while also giving snowmobilers a welcomed safe route under Hwy. 71 when going to and from the park's snowmobile trails.

One of the primary reasons for the new trail is that the current bike route between Itasca and Park Rapids to Itasca, along a shoulder of U.S. Hwy. 71, is considered dangerous due to the high traffic levels and the narrow shoulders with rumble strips.

When funds are available, the second phase of trail construction will continue 13 miles east to Emmaville on county land. The third phase will go south eight miles from Emmaville on a county road right-of-way to the intersection with the Heartland Trail, where a trailhead would be constructed.

State legislators also approved $2 million in bonding for another new section of the Heartland Trail from Detroit Lakes to Frazee that has been under construction.

Excerpt from:
Itasca-Heartland Connection Trail receives $2M in bonding - Park Rapids Enterprise

A majority of the St. Joseph City Council voiced their support Monday for a behind-schedule project that will see a new fire station built on Missouri Western State University property.

The new station will include a shell for an emergency operations shelter to replace a cramped space serving as an EOC inside another firehouse.

We need about another $200,000 to get to the $3 million that weve negotiated the price (of the new station) down to, St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray said.

The project originally was budgeted for $2.9 million, though the city has paid a penalty to the associated contractors because the project is a year behind schedule, and some funds already have been spent on preliminary issues. The $200,000 shortfall will be paid by money found in a Tax Increment Funding account.

To pay for the EOC, the city will draw some $285,000 from a Capital Improvement Plan account. In total, the new firehouse and EOC will cost about $3.3 million. The EOC will only be roughed in, according to McMurray, meaning it will be functional but still needing additional work.

The new station will be built on Mitchell Avenue near Interstate 29, on Missouri Western property. Originally, the firehouse was to include a police station for the university, though officials backtracked on that plan after an acrimonious process in which planners couldnt accommodate the police departments needs, according to St. Joseph Fire Chief Mike Dalsing.

St. Joseph will pay the university $275,000 for a 99-year lease of the land where the station will sit.

McMurray and council members Madison Davis, Kent ODell, Russell Moore, PJ Kovac and Brenda Blessing voiced their support for the project. Gary Roach and Brian Myers were absent, though their votes wouldnt be enough to stop construction.

Construction on damaged bridges in St. Joseph will begin next year, city officials told council members at the work session Monday. Voters approved $20 million in bonds to finance the project during a

The Corby Pond will be drained later this year following an agreement between the city and state. City officials told council members Monday that the pond will be drained and then rebuilt to accommodate more water. It will also receive a new retaining wall. The city and state are under an agreement that the project will finish by the end of 2021.

Originally posted here:
Deal reached to build new fire station | Government - News-Press Now

A woman and her son died and two others suffered injuries when boulders came rolling down the hill slope following heavy rain, crashed onto the retaining wall, resulting in the rubble falling into their house, at Ganapathi Nagar under Gajuwaka Police Station limits, here late on on Sunday night.

The concrete retaining wall fell on the asbestos roof of their house and it collapsed. K. Ramalakshmi, who was eight months pregnant, and her two-year-old son Gyaneswar were trapped under the rubble and died on the spot. Ramalakshmis husband Lokanadham and her mother Parvathi sustained injuries, according to the Gajuwaka police.

The bodies were extricated from the rubble by the police with the help of Fire Service personnel, and shifted to the mortuary.

The continual downpour due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal led to rainwater overflowing on the roads at some places and flooding of low-lying areas. The strong winds resulted in the snapping of cable and telephone lines and falling of branches and trees at some places on Monday.

In some areas like Sankara Matam, the movement of traffic was disrupted for some times as trees fell across the roads. They were cleared by people of nearby areas and GVMC staff. Some of the low lying areas in the city were flooded due to the heavy rain but the water receded later.

GVMC Commissioner G. Srijana said the clogged drains were being cleared on a war-footing.

Rainwater overflowed on the streets and entered the cellar of an apartment near the Ayyappa Swami temple at Sheela Nagar. The residents of the area staged a protest demanding a permanent solution to the problem. They alleged that the unauthorised shops and constructed on the drains, were obstructing the flow of water.

Motorists had a tough time driving through the rainwater, which collected on the road below the railway bridge at Chavulamadhum on Monday.

Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam West MLA PGVR Naidu (Ganababu) visited the Ganapathi Nagar on Monday and met the family members of the victims and expressed his condolences. He appealed to the government to provide relief to the bereaved family members. He advised the officials concerned to initiate relief measures in the low-lying areas submerged due to incessant downpour due to the depression in the Bay of Bengal.

He felt that it was unfortunate that the government and officials had not taken preventive measures, though there was prior information about heavy rains, which resulted in the deaths.

TDP corporator nominee Lalam Lavanya, TDP leaders Nakka Lakshman Rao, Rambabu, Sattibabu, Ram Shankar, Prabhakar and Rammohan Naidu were among those who accompanied the MLA.

Link:
2 die, 2 injured in roof collapse due to heavy rain - The Hindu

In both bedrooms the windows on two walls meet at a corner, affording a 180-degree view of the woods beyond, which are home to deer and several barred owls.

An acre lot allows the outdoor pool to be offset from the back of the home, where it becomes a destination. The walk to the water first passes a large patio enclosed by a low stone wall accentuated by built-in planters at the corners. The walk continues through a second small patio and down a hill before arriving at the pool gate.

We were fortunate the previous owner left us 10 pieces of John Salterini wrought iron furniture, Lara says. He was a well-known midcentury furniture designer whose work is still sought by collectors.

Laura enjoys collecting area rugs, and the daughters bedroom displays two on the floor layered on top of each other. The owls on the walls are paper cutouts Lara created before their daughter was born.Several real barred owls live in the woods nearby.

Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com

The couple spent a month last summer removing overgrown shrubbery and taking down a collapsed stone retaining wall in front of the home. Reusing the same stone, they reconstructed the wall themselves, and then landscaped the area anew. It was a lot of work, but we are happy with how it turned out, Ehren says.

The residence features exceptionally large windows in the front and back, and from the street passersby can clearly see through the residence into the backyard. When it is snowing, it looks like we are living inside a snow globe, Lara says laughing.

Ehren and Lara Leonberger, in their Affton mid-century ranch home, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com

Lara and Ehren Leonberger

Continued here:
At home: Her midcentury home in Lakeshire is one she used to know as a child - STLtoday.com

A 22 -year-old man is facing charges of impaired driving and refusing the breathalyzer following a collision with a parked car in St. Johns early Saturday morning.

The RNC say the charges were laid after the vehicle the man was driving collided with the car on The Boulevard at about 5 a.m. and then hit a rock retaining wall.

The man was originally taken to hospital but the RNC say he was not injured.

The male was released to appear in court at a later date.

EARLIER STORY:

One man was sent to hospital early Saturday morning after the car he was driving struck a parked vehicle and a retaining wall in St. Johns.

It appears the westbound car crossed over to the wrong side of the road on The Boulevard just before 5 a.m.,struck the parked vehicle and then swerved back to the right side of the road where it then hit the stone retaining wall. The parked car was moved several meters from its original location.

The owners of the car that was hit say this is the second time their car has been hit by another vehicle while it was parked near their home. The first time was when they lived at a different address.

Both carswere extensively damage.

The mans injuries were not thought to be serious.

The RNC is investigating the incident and more details will be provided as they become available.

Keith Gosse

The Telegram

keith.gosse@thetelegram.com

@TelyPhotoGosse

Continue reading here:
Man charged with impaired driving after car crashes into parked vehicle in St. John's early Saturday morning - The Telegram

METUCHEN The movement to fix the ongoing problem with trucks striking the Main Street Amtrak railroad bridge, which has an 11-foot, 2-inch clearance, began with a call from a borough police officer to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

We looked at the crash data and conversations began with Middlesex County, which is responsible for the roadway, said Christine Mittman, manager of safety programs for local project development at North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). From that, we developed an application and the project moved into the program.

A total of 444 crashes occurred during a five-year period. More than 24% of all crashes occurred along Main Street and 64% of the 444 crashes occurred at four particular locations intersecting Main Street Route 27/Middlesex Avenue with 110 crashes, Pennsylvania Avenue/North East Corridor (NEC-Amtrak Bridge) with 57 crashes, Woodbridge Avenue Train Station/Post Office with 57 crashes and Amboy Avenue with 61 crashes.

The borough saw 55 bridge strikes at the NEC-Amtrak underpass from 2012-16.

To help with the ongoing problem that has plagued the borough for years, the borough is in receipt of a $9.3 million grant from the NJTPA to the County of Middlesex, which borough officials announced in January 2018.

The grant for the project is through the NJTPAs fiscal year 2017-18 local safety program, which is federally funded in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). It is funded through the Federal Highway Administrations Highway Safety Improvements Program, which advances safety improvements on county and local roadways.

Representatives from NJTPA, Michael Baker International, engineering and consulting firm based in Pittsburgh, and Middlesex County hosted a virtual public information center meeting on Oct. 7 to inform local residents, officials and businesses of the safety improvement project along Main Street between Talmadge and Brunswick avenues.

The project is in its preliminary design phase, which is expected to be completed by winter 2020-21.

The grant includes funding $800,000 for design and $8-$9 million for construction and construction inspection services, Mittman said.

The funds will be used to support Metuchens efforts to improve public safety, pedestrian safety, traffic signals and eliminate trucks from striking the Main Street railroad bridge, which is overseen by Amtrak, NJ Transit, the county and the borough.

The approved project will cover a 1.1-mile stretch of Main Street and is one of 14 throughout the state, but the only one approved in Middlesex County.

When looking at the entire borough there are only three streets that provide any significant north-south mobility, Brad Miller of Michael Baker International said. Right in the middle is Main Street, the longest [roadway] that provides access from north down to Route 287, Route 1 and indirectly to the New Jersey Turnpike. Its a significant corridor that draws a variety of significant types of traffic and different types of needs.

Representatives from Michael Baker International said each section of Main Street is unique and needs its own improvements. Work is expected to begin at the intersection of Talmadge Avenue with a gateway type improvement letting motorists know they are entering into a downtown area.

Infrastructure improvements to address the bridge strikes call for the implementation of a pole-mounted overheight vehicle detection system, which identifies and diverts overheight vehicles at selected intersections to suitable alternative routes with electronic and static Overheight Vehicle and Low Clearance signage and Bridge Ahead signs.

The improvements are proposed at eight locations southbound at Elm Avenue, Durham Avenue, Highland Avenue, Hillside and New Streets, northbound at Spring Street, Amboy Avenue, Clinton Place, Woodbridge Avenue.

Improvements to the underpass itself include the railings, retaining wall, sidewalk, lighting and storm drainage.

Other improvements along Main Street include new and upgraded traffic signal infrastructure Main Street at New Street and Hillside Avenue with upgraded equipment, Main Street at Woodridge Avenue with a proposed new signal, Main Street at Amoy Avenue with upgraded equipment and Main Street at Brunswick Avenue and Myrtle Avenue with a proposed new signal.

Up to five new or upgraded flashing pedestrian beacons are proposed. A proposed new rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) are proposed for Main Street at Elm Avenue, Main Street midblock between Highland Avenue and Hillside Avenue/New Street, Main Street midblock between Charles Street and East/West Walnut Street and upgrades to the existing RRFB at Main Street and Lincoln Avenue.

All upgrades will be made to Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)/Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) standards.

Main Street is too narrow for dedicated bicycle lanes or paths, officials said. Proposed plans call for a shared-lane design with the proposal of sharrow symbols every 100 feet, which are already on Amboy and Woodbridge avenues.

Curb extensions are proposed in front of the Forum Theater in efforts to bolster the area in the future as well as the bus stop locations along Main Street and in front of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.

Main Street, also known as Route 531, serves as the boroughs downtown commercial business area. It is one of the main arteries feeding traffic in and out of the borough. The corridor sees significant pedestrian traffic and includes a NJ Transit rail station.

The corridor is ranked 13th on the NJTPAs list of high-crash pedestrian corridors in the county. The intersection of Main Street and Amboy Avenue is ranked ninth on the list of high-crash pedestrian intersections in the county.

After the completed preliminary design, the next steps include NJDOT approval of the environmental document by fall 2021, authorization to commence final design by spring 2022, anticipated federal authorization to construct by winter 2022-23, construction to begin by spring 2023 and construction substantially completed by winter 2023-24.

The presentation made at the meeting on Oct. 7 is on the boroughs website at http://www.metuchennj.org.

Written public comment and suggestions can be sent to Ron Sendner, county engineer with the Office of Engineering, NJDOT up to Oct. 30. A suggestion form available at http://www.njtpa.org/Get-Involvded/Info-Resources/Calendar/2020/October/Public-Meeting-Metuchen-Safety-Improvements.aspx can be sent to 75 Bayard St., New Brunswick 08901 or emailed to Ronald.Sendner@co.middlesex.nj.us or faxed to 732-745-8852.

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Infrastructure improvements for one-mile stretch of Metuchen's Main Street in preliminary design phase, public comment accepted through Oct. 30 -...

Sorry, bikers and walkers, we dont know how long youll have to go around.

Denver Parks and Rec have known their timber retainers keeping dirt from collapsing onto the South Platte River Trail by Vanderbilt Park have been a problem. Deputy Executive Director Scott Gilmore said the department closed the bike and pedestrian trail south of the Santa Fe Drive overpass about a week ago to bore some holes and check on the soil stability there.

Clearly that is not very stable, because during the boring the soil shifted and pushed the wall out further, he told us.

Their attempt to see if the trail was safe made things worse, possibly doing what time and weather would do eventually. Right now, the wooden retaining wall curves over the trail like a Thanksgiving belly over a belt. It doesnt look like extreme danger, but the infrastructure is now in enough disrepair that Gilmore said he doesnt know when the trail will reopen.

Weve always known this was going to be an extensive section of the trail to improve, Gilmore said.

He said it could cost as much as $9 million to make a permanent fix, if not more. And doing work in that section of trail is tricky because CDOT has domain over Santa Fe Drive, which speeds by just past the bowing timbers.

Gilmore said the city will begin exploring temporary fixes, but Parks and Rec would really like to do something for the long haul. And its not just about a busted wall. The trail there is just 8 feet wide, and Gilmore said 12 feet is really the standard.

Parks, like every other city department, is wrestling with a recession-era budget. Gilmore said the city has about $3 million allocated to do something, but it could be challenging to shore up more cash to get it done.

For now, bikers and walkers will have to cruise Jason Street, on the west side of Vanderbilt Park, and reconnect with the trail where it meets Huron Street. There is no timetable for when theyll get to return to the rivers edge.

Read the original here:
There's an indefinite detour on the South Platte Trail by Vanderbilt Park - Denverite

The Journal

Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor Oldcastle SW Group Inc. have completed the project to repair and make safety improvements on Colorado Highway 145 and U.S. Highway 550 in Dolores, Montezuma and Ouray counties.

The project, completed ahead of schedule and under budget, has preserved the structural integrity of the highways with the repairs and reconstruction of retaining systems at the roadways shoulder edges. The work zones and work items included:

Colorado Highway 145, mile point 24.5, about 12 miles north of Dolores in Montezuma County. Work involved a deep patch repair of the roadway and installation of a new rock buttress that provides slope stability underneath the roadway.Guardrail replacement on Colorado Highway 145 about 3 miles north of Rico in Dolores County. Work involved removing the existing retaining wall material below the edge of the roadway, installing micropiling and concrete pile caps with new backfill material to secure the slope, and followup highway surface repair.Guardrail replacement on U.S. Highway 550, MP 90, 2 miles south of Ouray in Ouray County. Work involved retaining wall removal and replacement of two failing roadway sections with a crib wall system; follow-up highway surface repair and installation of new inlet and drainage culvert.For more information, visit http://www.codot.gov/projects/co145-us550-patchwallrepair.

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Safety and drainage improvements on Colorado 145 completed early - The Journal