LIMA — Allen County commissioners approved resolutions Tuesday to enter into preliminary consent legislation with the Ohio Department of Transportation for upcoming road and bridge projects.
The first project will be a reconstruction at the intersection of state Route 117 and state Route 501 and Wapak Road, scheduled to go out for contract bids in March. Construction is expected to take place from June through October 2016.
“The reason we’re doing that is to eliminate the awkward angles to create better sight distance,” ODOT District 1 public information officer Rhonda Pees said. “Right now, motorists can’t see approaching traffic. It includes adding turn lanes on [Route] 117 to facilitate left turn movements onto state Route 117 and Wapak Road.”
Along with widening the pavement for the turning lanes, the project will also shift the intersection about 80 feet to the east. Drainage issues along that intersection will also be addressed in that intersection, according to Pees.
The total cost for the project is estimated to be $1.47 million, with funding coming from both state and federal resources, Pees said.
“Traffic will be maintained on state Route 117 throughout the project, with short-term closures expected on both state Route 501 and Wapak Road,” she said.
The other approved projects are the complete reconstruction of three county bridges, located at Napoleon Road, Hook-Waltz Road and Neely Road, part of the ongoing Ohio Bridge Partnership.
“These will all be under one contract,” Pees said.
The estimated cost for all three bridge replacements is $1.18 million, with bidding set to begin June 2. Work is expected to be done from September 2016 through May 2017, according to Pees.
“Federal funding will be used for project development and construction,” she said.
