Mary Alice Reporting –
A project is being pushed back a few weeks to ensure plans are in place for traffic control since a portion of Trenton Avenue will be completely closed.
From Newport Avenue down to Herrick Street, which is from the bridge over Stillwater Creek to just past Save-a-Lot is the scope of the overhaul. Part of Walnut Street, which is parallel to Claymont Primary and the regular bus route, will also be closed.
The work was supposed to start this week, but discussions happened as it was not previously known that the roadway would be completely blocked to traffic says Code Enforcement Officer Amy Myers.
“Claymont City School isn’t even involved [in discussion and] they have to reroute drop-off and bussing. They are putting back the project probably a couple of weeks because there are some fiber optic issues that they weren’t aware of in the sewer system for the catch basins.”
Emergency vehicles and those who live in the impacted area will be able to get through, but all other motorists will be rerouted including business patrons, regular traffic, buses, and those picking up and dropping off students.
Myers was pushing for a start date after school is out but that is not a possibility.
“Because they want a July 31st end date and there’s everything that’s already planned, the castings and everything has been ordered.”
She adds that current administration was unaware of the scope of the project and is unsure why this area is being done, when there are other locations within the city that are more important.
Previous administration had announced in January 2023 that bidding would occur in April and construction would include new storm sewers, curbs, and asphalt.
Full funding has been approved from the Tuscarawas County Commissioners, who gave out a $105,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant, and an Ohio Department of Transportation Small Cities Grant for just under $660,000.
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