It seems that the city’s public works department is on a roll when it comes to bringing in big street projects ahead of schedule.

Less than three weeks after Ninth Street was closed from Highland Drive to Emery Road to widen the street and add a left-turn lane, the busy stretch has been reopened. Crews still are rebuilding curbs and doing some pavement work, but it appears the contractor will be finished with the project well ahead of the Aug. 7 deadline and the return of students to the nearby Kansas University campus.

Despite some heavy rains during June, the contractors apparently got favorable weather when they needed it. Considering the current tight economy, the contractor may also have chosen to put a little extra effort into getting the job done in a timely manner.

At any rate, it’s good news for people who travel that stretch of Ninth, as well as those who had to deal with the extra traffic that was diverted to Sixth Street. Keep up the good work!