NILES North Rd. closes for repairs

Traffic is being detoured from North Road onto DeForest Road and onto state Route 169.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- North Road is closed to through traffic for the next few weeks.
Work on the North Road improvement project started March 1.
Starting Monday, the road is closed to through traffic during replacement of a small bridge north of Cassandra Lane. The contractor has up to 30 days to complete the bridge replacement. Traffic is being routed off North Road onto DeForest Road to state Route 169.
J.S. Northeast of Girard is the project contractor on the $600,000 project.
The road has been closed periodically since construction started.
"I imagine they'll use some of that time while the road is closed to get as much of the concrete work done as they can," said Mark Hess, city coordinator of engineering, grants and development.
He said the project, slated for completion this summer, is proceeding ahead of schedule.
"They've got the storm sewers in," Hess said.
What's being done: The project between Main Street and DeForest Road involves milling away deteriorating asphalt and placing new layers on the road. It also includes curb installation and placement of storm sewer pipe in open ditches.
Another road improvement project planned for this year remains in the engineering phase. Niles council is expected within a month to be asked to approve an increase in the city's portion of the Robbins Avenue project.
Robbins Avenue is being resurfaced between state Route 46 and the city limits.
The additional work includes widening the sidewalks from four to five feet; installing catch basins to improve drainage; widening a portion of the road and turning the middle lane into a turn lane and leveling the road to eliminate the crowning in the center.
The additional work would increase the project cost to $1.85 million and the city's portion to about $500,000. The remainder is being paid by a federal highway administration grant.