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One road project in Struthers stalls; another to begin soon
By jeanne starmack
struthers
The city is rebidding one road project and hoping that another will be starting soon, said Mayor Terry Stocker.
The city opened bids for the Runge Boulevard Safety Upgrade Project on Sept. 9, he said, but the bids all came in too high.
The city has solicited new bids and will open them at 11 a.m. Oct. 13.
The project includes lowering the road surface, storm-water catch basins and storm sewers to solve a problem with water ponding on the road and backing up into yards, garages and basements.
Nine residences primarily are affected.
The situation is also a safety hazard for motorists, Stocker has said. The road is a cut-through street between Fifth Street and state Route 616.
The project will cost $213,000, with the state picking up $146,970 and the city contributing $66,000 from its auto-tax and storm-water management funds.
“City administration and council feel that rebidding the project at this time is the most fiscally responsible option,” Stocker said.
He said the project will start in the spring so that residents aren’t inconvenienced during the winter and the holidays.
The city sent letters to Runge Boulevard residents explaining the delay.
A preconstruction meeting was set for today on another major road project — resurfacing on Fifth Street from Midlothian Boulevard to Manor Avenue and on Center Street from Lowellville Road to the city limits.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is handling the project, which will probably start by the end of this month, Stocker said.
The $500,000 project will be financed mostly with grants. The city is picking up 20 percent of the cost.