Summer is construction season, and several projects in the city are either completed or underway.
Public Utilities Director Brad Stanton gave an update on the projects at the city’s Public Works/Public Utilities Committee meeting on Tuesday. Among the projects:
- The Bernard Avenue storm water improvements are going through the final design phase, and are expected to be completed later this fall. The $815,000 project will have new storm water pipe and storm water ditch improvements from South Liberty Street to U.S. 23.
- Blue Limestone Park is open again and the improvements are nearly complete. Starting in June, 1,043 square yards of permeable pavement and 3.9 acres of bio-retention and bio-swale areas have been put into the park, at an estimated cost of $457,850. Pickleball courts have been built, and the nets and fence are expected to go up on Friday, said Public Service Group Director Dan Whited.
- The Glenn Road reconstruction continues at U.S. 36/SR 37. A mast arm signal will be installed, tested, and partially taken down until signal warrants are met, said City Engineer William Ferrigno. The $1.75 million project is expected to be completed in October.
- Three canoe/kayak access sites at Mingo Park and Cherry Street are in the design phase. Funded by a $152,900 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the sites should be accessible by next spring.
- The Park Avenue water line replacement project will have 12-inch water pipe, and six fire hydrants are being installed from South Washington Street to Curtis Street. The $527,015 construction work began in July and is expected to end in October, with county fair week (Sept. 19-26) off, Stanton said.
- Water and sewer lines have been installed on Sawmill Parkway and Innovation Court, a $493,000 project. The water lines passed their testing last week, and sewer lines were being tested this week. Innovation Court was being paved this week.
- Two low-head dams have been removed in the Olentangy River at Stratford Road and U.S. 23. The $52,780 project was funded by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant. With the removal of the dams, the river is said to be more navigable and safer for boaters, with improved water quality for the aquatic species that live in it.
- A sanitary sewer collection system master plan, updating the 2000 master plan, has started. The engineering fee will be $394,800, with the project to be completed in April 2016.
In addition, the city’s way-finding (new signage) project is expected to be completed at the end of October. Also, the Airport runway extension plans have been completed. The Department of Transportation recently awarded a $4.27 million grant for the 800-foot extension. Construction may take place later this year or early 2016.
A contractor clears debris before a low-head dam is dismantled on the Olentangy River.
The removed low-head dams, located past the closed walkway, as seen from the bridge over U.S. 23.
