Post date: Oct 21, 2012 10:48:45 PM

Asphalt smooths washboard at Johnson Lake

By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent | Kearney HUB on-line at: http://www.kearneyhub.com

JOHNSON LAKE — The Bullhead Point Expressway, [Drive 28] a heavily used public access road to the shoreline of Johnson Lake, has been given an asphalt cover.

The road leads to Medo’s Resort and cafe, a public swimming beach and one of the lake’s public boat ramps. The paving was ordered by the lake’s owner, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.

The project was completed Thursday by Paulsen’s of Cozad.

Tim Anderson of the district’s staff said the cost of the improvement was $171,910. The access road is estimated to be about three-fourths of a mile. The paving included the parking area in front of Medo’s and the entrance to the boat ramp.

Anderson said the improvement was recommended by a committee of lake residents to Central’s board of directors.

“This is a great improvement for the lake and eliminates the need to scrape the road to get rid the washboard effect from its use. We could have it scraped and two days later the road would be back to a washboard again,” Anderson said. “Not only that, it gets rid of dust from the traffic the road creates.”

Anderson said calls have been received from property owners all around the lake, praising the district for the project.

Funds for the paving came from the district’s annual contribution for lake improvements, using 2012 funds and borrowing against the contribution for 2013.

The directors of Johnson Lake Development met Tuesday for the final time in 2012.

A worksheet of the JLDI budget for 2013 showed a budget reduction of more than $3,000 from last year, with a total of $54,025 for 2013. The budget may be subject to change.

Directors were reminded of the “Give BIG Lexington” day Nov. 15 when contributions are requested to help finance continued development of the hike and bike trail.

Ron Fowler of the Hike and Bike Committee said there may be a “window of opportunity” for Paulsen’s to pave the trail selected around the northernmost curve of Johnson Lake Drive. It is regarded as dangerous for hikers and bikers because of limited sight lines.