MOUNT VERNON — Repaving of 48 city streets and the widening of the Ohio 229 and Edgewood Road intersection will begin in the next two weeks.
On Tuesday the city of Mount Vernon held a pre-construction meeting for the critical streets project which consist of resurfacing 48 streets, and widening lanes and adding turn lanes at the intersection of Edgewood Road and Ohio 229. The meeting covered final objectives for the projects expected to start in mid-August.
Many people were present during the meeting: Representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation and Small’s Asphalt Paving Inc., as well as Mayor Richard Mavis, Mount Vernon Engineer Cameron Keaton, City Street Department Superintendent David Carpenter, City Water/Wastewater Administrator Judy Scott, Fire Chief Shawn Christy, Police Chief Mike Merrilees, Public Buildings and Lands Superintendent Geoff Oliver, and Knox County Engineer Jim Henry.
Bobby Small of Small’s Asphalt Paving Inc. told the officials that construction is anticipated to begin Aug. 16 for the paving portion of the project and Aug. 17 for the intersection of Edgewood Road and Ohio 229.
“We’re looking at those dates and that will give us almost two weeks to wrap up all the necessary paperwork,” said Small. He also said crews will be working from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or until dark during the construction period.
The project is contracted to be completed in 90 days unless delayed by weather.
“Obviously this is weather sensitive and we don’t want to be late in the year with weather, temperature and rain interfering as we try to get asphalt down, so we want as many crews as we can get out there to knock this out as quickly as we can,” said Keaton.
With the intersection of Edgewood Road and Ohio 229 being a busy area, Keaton said one lane of traffic will be available other than during short periods of necessary closure.
He also explained Small’s Asphalt will be responsible for project safety and posting traffic signs and barricades, and maintaining the work area by cleaning the streets when finished, disposing of the excess material and being considerate of surrounding properties.
