MOUNT VERNON — Work is expected to begin on the Coshocton Avenue widening and safety project May 7, Mayor Richard Mavis said Friday.
Park Enterprise Construction of Marion, which has the state contract for the widening project, will begin work on the section from Highland Drive to Shalimar Drive. At the same time, Canyon Construction of Fredericktown will begin work in the section from Center Run to Highland Drive installing a new water line.
The water line project is expected to be complete by June 30, while the widening and safety project should be done by Nov. 1.
Mavis said the speed limit through the construction zone will be 25 miles per hour and large electric signs will keep motorists alerted to things in the construction area. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained most of the time, Mavis said, although there may be time traffic is reduced to one lane.
Bids opened
Bids were opened by the city Friday for the drainage and concrete work to be done at the intersections of Norton and Chestnut streets and Norton and Sugar streets. The project was estimated to cost $128,876, but the bids came in at $128,028.91 from Canyon Construction, $132,901.75 from G&G Enterprises of Bellville and $135,042.27 from Small’s Asphalt Paving of Gambier.
Mavis said City Engineer Cameron Keaton will study the bids and make a recommendation next week.
Sugar Street on the Rolls-Royce campus was actually vacated by the city, but the drainage system there is still the city’s responsibility.
Mount Vernon Avenue
The Mount Vernon Avenue/Edgewood Drive/Gambier Street sidewalk project is 70 percent complete. Mavis said that as soon as hot mix is available, work will start on the widening of the Mount Vernon Avenue/Division Street intersection to allow the installation of a left turn lane.
The traffic light will be activated after the intersection is expanded and will use cameras to activate the light, rather than sensors buried in the pavement.
Mavis said the city has found the cameras to be more reliable than the sensors for activating the lights and he emphasized that these are not red light cameras.
Mavis also reported that Ariel Foundation has approved the extension of the sidewalk project from Division Street to Newark Road. The contractor has agreed to do the work at the same unit price as the rest of the walk and is working on the plans for the addition.
Ariel Foundation donated $500,000 for the project.