Delaware County commissioners approved a supplemental appropriation for the Sawmill Parkway extension Tuesday.
“This does not represent any additional cost or increase in the cost of the project,” said county engineer Chris Bauserman. “It’s simply because the project spanned over two budget years. The amount we estimated last year was overestimated by the amount of this supplemental appropriation ($2.5 million), so we’re asking that be appropriated this year to cover the cost of the contract.”
The $30.4 million project will extend Sawmill Parkway 5.5 miles on a four-lane divided road between Hyatts and Section Line roads. The road will end about 1,600 feet north of U.S. 42.
“Phases A-F includes a 4.5-miles section of new road between Hyatts Road and U.S. Route 42 with four new roundabouts at Clark Shaw Road, Bean Oller Road, Ford Road and Bunty Station Road as well as a signalized intersection at 42, scheduled for construction in 2015-16,” states a website devoted to the project. “Phase G includes the remaining one-mile section west to Section Line Road, which is still under development.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation said Sawmill Parkway “is reduced to one southbound lane at State Route 750 for a road widening project.”
The parkway extension should be completed in October.
Bauserman also received approval on two other matters: a map of the Hogback Bay subdivision in Brown Township; and appropriating property from 11 owners for the South Old State Road improvement project by offering fair market value under Ohio law’s “quick take” procedure.
“We need to move forward with certifying this right of way to move this project forward and keep it on schedule,” Bauserman said of South Old State. “We hope that we can negotiate a fair agreement for both parties.”
Right of way acquisition is slated for September, with construction from March 2017 to June 2018.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved:
• Amending a contract with Ohio Guidestone to place an additional child. Ohio Guidestone serves more than 23,000 children and families annually statewide. Angela Thomas, assistant director of Job and Family Services, said the original amount of the contract was $20,000, and changed to $40,000.
• Applying for the Small Cities Community Development Block grant funds. Jenna Jackson, economic development coordinator, said the largest portion of the grant ($215,000) would rehabilitate the water tower in the village of Ashley.
• Awarding a contract to Bonded Chemicals Inc. to supply ferric chloride to the Olentangy Environmental Control Center wastewater treatment facility in Powell. “This is a chemical that is used to ensure compliance with the phosphorus limit,” said Tiffany Maag, the county’s new deputy director of sanitary engineering and development. “This year, we’re on pace to use between $30,000 and $50,000 worth of ferric chloride. It’s more effective to bid that cost competitively. we did receive two bids on this work, and recommend going with the low bidder.”
• A new fund for the Agriculture Society excise tax.
County administrator Ferzan Ahmed praised the county’s office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for putting on a training exercise Monday that simulated a chemical spill. “We hope we never do this, but we have to be ready if this ever happens,” he said.
