NILES Road project slated to begin

Most of the project will be funded by state Issue II money.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- After completing the majority of the work on one major road project, city officials plan to start another.
City Engineer Mark Hess said the second phase of the North Road project could start in late February or early March.
"I'm scheduled to meet with the contractor this week," Hess said.
Niles officials are taking the lead on the project, though portions of the road pass through Warren and parts of Trumbull County.
Schimley's Excavating of Niles was awarded the contract for the second portion of work along North Road, which will include installing curbs, driveway approaches and sidewalks, as well as paving.
The first phase covered work from Main Street to DeForest Road and the next portion goes from DeForest to U.S. Route 422, Hess said.
Contract awarded
The contract was awarded for $420,169; the second-lowest bid was from Rhino Excavating of Warren at $441,911.
Hess said J.S. Northeast of Girard, the company that did the first phase, was the third-lowest bidder this time around.
Nine bids were received. Most of the cost will be funded by state Issue II money.
Much of the project is similar to work done last summer along Robbins Avenue.
In that project, the road was resurfaced, and new sidewalks, driveway approaches and curbs were installed.
Though most of the work there is complete, there are still some minor details that need addressed, including marking the center turning lane and crosswalks.
The North Road project calls for a detour.
"The plans state that one lane of traffic must be maintained at all times, just like it was on Robbins Avenue, but we will encourage people to use the detour as much as possible," Hess said.
slshaulis@vindy.com