Projects set record of $7.3M

The amount of construction projects in 2006 is nearly triple the average.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- This will be a record year for road, bridge and guardrail projects in Trumbull County, highlighted by the $3.4 million North Road reconstruction project.
The North Road effort includes roadway in Howland, Warren city and Niles. County commissioners approved advertising for bids for the 1.7-mile project this week, and construction is expected to begin by the end of June.
The 18-month project will involve road widening, additional turn lanes and other improvements.
Randy Smith, deputy engineer with the Trumbull County Engineer's Office, said the total $7.3 million of planned projects is a record amount.
"It's going to be a busy year," he said, explaining that the number is especially high because a number of projects came to the construction phase at the same time.
Rocky L. Riviella, administrator and comptroller for the engineer's office, said a typical year involves about $2 million worth of projects, usually one state Issue 2 road improvement and a bridge replacement.
Bridge replacements
Two Brookfield bridge replacements are planned: a $400,000 project on Smith-Stewart Road and a $800,000 project on Warren-Sharon Road. A bridge replacement on South Canal Street in Newton Township will cost around $500,000.
The county will use state Issue 2 dollars on a $1.2 million road improvement project. This involves work on 2 miles of North Road in Howland and Warren city, 0.3 miles of East Market Street in Howland and Warren city, 2.61 miles of Warren-Sharon Road in Howland and Vienna townships, 1 mile of West Market Street in Warren Township, 0.22 miles of Genesee Avenue in Howland, 0.9 miles of Salt Springs Road in Weathersfield Township, 1.2 miles of Tibbetts Wick Road in Liberty Township, 0.8 miles of Dietz East/Griswold Street Extension in Howland and Warren city, and 1.4 miles of Warren Sharon Road in Vienna Township.
The guardrail projects are in Howland, Vienna and Hubbard, and will cost $300,000. The intersection of Salt Springs Road and Niles Carver Road will be improved at a cost of $500,000. A box culvert replacement and road resurfacing project on Warren-Meadville Road in Bazetta will cost about $200,000.