The Laurel City Council will decide Tuesday whether to give the administration authority to advertise for construction of several city projects funded through national recovery program.

The projects will be a part of the Mississippi Department of Transportation Small Urban Economic Recovery Projects.

City officials received the official approval for the street projects to be paid for through the National Economic Recovery Bill signed in March.

Eric Page with Neel-Schaffer Engineering has been working with Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack and the Laurel City Council to get local projects approved.

Officials said MDOT sent a letter to the City in February stating that Laurel would receive an allocation of approximately $660,047.

In March, the Laurel City Council gave authority to approve professional services contract for the Mississippi Department of Transportation Small Urban Economic Recovery Projects.

Then in April, city officials announced that the city had received confirmation from MDOT that three projects had been approved.

Page said the three city projects approved are the Beacon Street and Mason Street Traffic Signal and Intersection Improvements; Fifth Avenue at Gardiner Creek Bridge Replacement; and 16th Avenue from King Street to Ferrill Street Milling, Overlaying and Striping.

The City Council then approved a resolution giving authority to initiate the MDOT Small Urban Economic Recovery Projects.

Page said the funds can be used to fund 100 percent of the construction costs for certain projects. However, the preliminary engineering costs are not included in the funding and are the responsibility of the city.

Based on the council’s previous action, Neel-Schaffer is providing professional services for the design of the project for a lump sum amount of $57,000, which will include all engineering services through the award of the project.

According to city documents, “MDOT has stated that it will fund 100 percent of the construction costs, which includes construction engineering and inspection.”

Page said the money will help the city address projects that had already been selected as needing to be done.

“It is our understanding that presently MDOT has committed to fully fund the construction costs for (three) projects from the Economic Recovery monies with more projects potentially to follow as funds may come available,” Page said. “Neel-Schaffer will provide the Design Phase Services which will include all engineering work necessary to prepare the necessary Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) Package for the projects and to gain approval from both MDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to advertise for bids.”

Officials said Neel-Schaffer will also assist in the bidding process.