Extensive paving has taken place at the John Henry Historical Park in Talcott. This project comes after the Summers County Commission approved a bid from AAA Paving and Sealing at an April meeting. Prior to approving a vendor, the commission reviewed multiple bids.
According to Mike Cales, the Park Director, Commissioners Kula, Saunders, and Gore were integral to the project. Cales said, “He [Kula] took the bull by the horns” for the project. Rick Moorefield, the former Park Director, also applauded the County Commission saying, “Our County Commissioners led by Commissioner Kula led the way,” on the project.
The project includes the driveway into the park and two parking areas, each with a dedicated handicap space. Following the bid approval, the commission requested that the vendor begin work as soon as possible with the goal of completion before the John Henry Days festival at the beginning of July.
At the time of writing, crews have completed laying the asphalt and are working on painting the necessary lines. The next step is adding the shoulder beside the new asphalt. Cales says this step may take until the beginning of July to finish.
In addition to the paving project, the park now has new electrical wiring to improve connections for the sound system and food vendors. Cales noted that this project is approximately 90 percent complete.
Cales says the AAA Paving and Sealing crew has done an excellent job.
“They’ve done a fabulous job for us. The crew was professional and easy to get along with.”
Additionally, Cales said the committee is working on adding a pedestrian bridge over Hungards Creek, where the original trestle bridge once was.
None of these improvements would be possible without the aid of the Summers County Commission and Coal Heritage. Cales said they are thankful for the assistance and that “hands down,” they would not be where they are now without their support.
