NILES Officials narrow list for road work

Money and road conditions will dictate which streets get paved this summer.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- While work continues on major routes such as state Route 46 and North Road, other city streets will get some attention later this summer.
City Engineer Mark Hess said he and Mayor Ralph A. Infante are narrowing down the annual list of streets to be paved, and they expect to complete the list by the end of the week.
"We listed streets that were paved 10 or 12 years ago, but some roads are more highly traveled than others and deteriorate faster," Hess said. "Some of those streets may have been paved only seven or eight years ago, but need it again."
Hess said city workers have visited every city street to compile the list, but funding and necessity will narrow it.
Grants are traditionally used for major city street projects, like those on state Route 46 and North Road, but the streets on the list will be paid for solely through the general fund, Hess said. The city annually budgets between $200,000 and $350,000 for paving, he said.
Different approach
Hess said that in past years he would determine which areas needed work and estimate how much material and time was needed for the job. He would then ask council to approve the bidding and contract process in one step.
This year, however, things are being handled a little differently.
Because of summer vacation schedules for city employees, city council will approve the paving projects in two steps instead of one.
"Instead of going to council and saying here's our estimate and then going out for bids, I'll be able to go to them and say this is what we need to approve for paving," Hess said.
Council agreed last week to advertise for bids; the process will start once Hess and Infante complete the list. Then, Hess said, he'll be able to take the lowest and best bid to council for contract approval.
Once a contract is awarded, he said, paving should begin on approved streets sometime in August.
slshaulis@vindy.com