Traffic project targets 3 St. Clair Twp. sites
Rights of way must be clear by May 19 for the work to be done this year.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- After six weeks of contacting property owners with no response, the Columbiana County Engineer's office will begin eminent-domain proceedings on three properties in St. Clair Township as part of a traffic safety project.
County commissioners gave approval Wednesday for the engineer's office to begin eminent domain proceedings for rights of way along St. Clair Avenue near McGuffey Drive.
Mary Brown, an engineer in Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson's office, said plans are to install a traffic light at the intersection and widen St. Clair Avenue to include a turning lane. She said there have been six traffic crashes at the intersection since McGuffey Drive opened last year.
The intersection is near a bend and the road improvements will improve visibility, she said. Brown said the property can be taken by eminent domain because the rights of way are needed to improve public safety.
Still in question
She said there are 13 parcels of land involved and the three are the only ones that remain in question. The property owners are listed as Mary Ann Boughner, Harvey E. Naeser Jr. and Rudelle R. Naeser.
She said engineer's office personnel have repeatedly attempted contact with the owners of three parcels on St. Clair Avenue, by telephone, visits to the property and a hand-delivered letter.
Commissioners said they don't like to exercise the county's right to eminent domain, but they understand the circumstances. The engineer's office must have rights of way clear by May 19 or the improvements can't be made in 2004.
Brown said delaying the improvements would only increase the possibility of more accidents at the intersection.
Right of way across the entire front of the properties and five feet deep are needed to widen the road, Brown said. She said an additional right of way beyond the 5 feet is needed during construction only.