Traffic is flowing up and down Absaroka Street, and cross-town traffic can once again move through the intersections along the road.

A few punch list items remain, which are the last details the contractor needs to address before the final payment is given. Some lights still need to be installed, as well as some signage. In the spring, trees will be planted, as well as some sod. But major construction, including paving, is complete.

City Streets Superintendent Gary Butts said the $4.25 million project is expected to fall within the budget.

“Overall people were patient throughout the project,” Butts said. “It actually went very smoothly considering the scope of the work and the weather events that occurred during construction.”

Besides widening the street and installing LED street lights, the project included the replacement of water and storm drain lines.

Mountain Construction Company of Lovell was the contractor for the street’s paving. They used modular paving techniques the company patented. It was the first time the company had applied the technique, and Mountain Construction co-owner Stuart Frost said it went very well.

“It was a great success,” he said.

The paving will be much easier to maintain and provide a smoother ride for drivers, Frost said.

The company is planning on applying the technique to other projects in the future.

Frost said his father, David Frost, instilled the drive to innovate in him.

“He told me don’t think the way it is, is the way it is,” Stuart Frost said.

The general contractor, Wilson Brothers Construction of Cowley, has been paid $2.4 million to date. Further payments are pending.

Park County residents began paying a voter-approved 1 percent specific purpose sales and use tax in April 2017. The extra tax ended March 31, after collecting $13.68 million for various projects around the county — including the Absaroka Street project.

Since reporting of collected revenues takes time, the actual amount the county collected before the tax stopped was roughly about $1 milllion more than the $13.68 million. The City of Powell will get about $300,000 of that overage, an amount equal to its share dedicated for the specific purpose tax. These extra funds will go toward future maintenance of the project.

“We more than likely will use these funds for slurry seal of Absaroka Street in the future and any item that was missed or needs repaired from the Absaroka Street project,” said City Administrator Zack Thorington.