MOUNT VERNON — Local motorists will feel a slight bump when they drive over the small tubes positioned in the streets at several spots in the downtown area.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said the tubes are connected to traffic-counting equipment. Richland Engineering of Mansfield is gathering data for a traffic study related to a proposed bridge project.
For well over a year, city officials have discussed the possibility of building a South Sandusky Street bridge over the Kokosing River. If constructed, the bridge would be located somewhere between the viaduct and the railroad bridge near AMVETS and come out on the north side of the river. The idea behind the project — which the mayor emphasized is very preliminary — would be to help get truck traffic on Ohio 13 in and out of the city in a more efficient manner, and reduce congestion in and around the city’s downtown.
Mavis said the bridge proposal is a very long-range plan and city officials have not yet committed to it. They will take the Richland study and meet with county and state officials before anything happens.
“Even if everyone agreed to build the bridge, it probably wouldn’t happen for another 10 years,” he said.
The mayor said there are also counters in the area of Beech Street and Sychar Road. These are gathering data that will be used to form a strategy for improving safety at the intersection of Beech Street and Sychar Road. He said the awkward configuration of the intersection makes it difficult and somewhat dangerous for motorists turning from Beech Street onto Sychar Road; city officials have discussed possible changes, particularly due to increased traffic coming and going from the new water park on Hiawatha Park.
In other city news, Mavis said:
•City staff poured new concrete patches in three spots of the water park on Friday. One patch was placed in an area just north of the concession stand to allow parents and grandparents to sit in chairs and watch children in a section of the pool frequently used by children. Another concrete patch was placed in a grassy spot between the mechanical house and the baby pool, for the same purpose. The third patch was laid near the entrance, in a spot often trodden on by visitors. It was put in place to prevent dirt from being tracked inside the water park. The fence on the northeast side of the park will also be expanded toward the east, where three new shade umbrella’s will be put for visitors.
•The mayor said he wanted to make sure everyone in the city knows about Spring Cleanup, an annual program sponsored by the city. This year, the cleanup has been extended to include additional Saturdays. Items may be taken to BFI Waste Systems at 107 Tilden Ave. from Saturday, May 3, through Friday, May 9; as well the Saturday, June 7; Saturday, July 5; Saturday, Aug. 2; and Saturday, Sept. 6. This is for residents of the city only. The city pays 50 percent; the resident pays 50 percent. Hazardous waste will not be accepted.
•The Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Wildlife will stock trout at the middle lake at Foundation Park the first weekend of May, which is the weekend during which people can fish without a license. The mayor said an assessment of the fish population at the park’s three lakes will be conducted around the end of May or the beginning of June. Data from the assessment may be used for the stocking of fish, which would be partially funded by the city.
•The city administration plans to replace a section of the deteriorating fence that faces the street at the old National Guard motor pool building on Greenwood Avenue in the near future. He said the fence replacement is part of the city’s efforts to clean up the property, which will be used by the police as an impound lot. The city reacquired the property and building from the National Guard last spring. The property will be sold at a city auction on Saturday, May 3.
•The city will put up new signs on Blackjack Road that help truck drivers find industries in the area. Mavis said confusion over the distinction between Blackjack Road and Blackjack Road extension has caused some truck drivers to get lost. Blackjack Road intersects Newark Road and veers to the south around Moundbuilders Guidance Center. Blackjack Road extension intersects Granville Road. Truckers trying to get to industries on Blackjack Road extension have sometimes continued down Blackjack Road south of Moundbuilders, where the roadway is too narrow for a large truck; it can be almost impossible for truck drivers to navigate their way out.
•The administration will apply for an Ohio Department of Transportation grant this spring that would help pay for development of the trail system along the northern edge of Foundation Park. The grant would also help pay for the construction of a new, pedestrian-only bridge that would span the Kokosing River near Norton Street and connect to Foundation Park. The city could receive about $1.32 million for the overall project at Foundation Park; the city would have to contribute another $330,000. If awarded, the funds will not be available until 2011 to 2012.
