(by Brandi Daniels, Staff Writer - December 02, 2010)
The South Grener Avenue road project is still on its way to being completed by November next year.
The three phase, three-year road project began in 2007 when the township applied for funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission for the project. Preparations and discussions for the application processbegan in the early summer 2007.
Township Administrator Tracy Hatmaker said Grener Avenue is the first road to be worked on because it is the major connector the township is directly responsible for.
Hatmaker also said this is a high priority project for the township because of safety, development and traffic flow issues.
South Grener Avenue is a hilly road with no sidewalks and it ends right where the entrance ramp for I-270 begins, “This is a very dangerous situation,” Hatmaker said.
Once the road project is finished the street will be leveled off, it will have improved and wider pavements, sidewalks on the east side and better drainage. It will also provide safer and better access to West Broad Street, and while doing that it will close off the existing dangerous access that South Grener Avenue has just at the foot of the entrance ramp to I-270.
All of the funding for the project came from a grant from OPWC and a loan. About 25 percent of the money is from a loan.
“From weather, aging water lines, and acquiring hotel property, there have been large and small details along the way that have been challenging, but no show stoppers,” Hatmaker said.
The road project’s third phase is scheduled to begin next spring and the entire project should be wrapped up this time next year.
All three phases, including the realignment, will then be complete.
“It’s a high priority for the board and the board is working hard and looking forward to seeing the project completed,” Hatmaker said.
