By Rick Palsgrove
Groveport Editor
Two area road projects have received Ohio Public Works Commission funding.
The two local Franklin County Engineer projects recommended for funding include:
•Georges Creek bridge replacement on Winchester Pike, estimated cost of $1.47 million with a grant award of $216,478;
•Improvements to the intersection of State Route 317 and Lockbourne Road, estimated cost of $2.5 million, with a grant award $92,613.
About the grants
A total of $27.4 million in funding was recommended for 13 projects in Franklin County by the District 3 Public Works Integrating Committee. The communities requested funding through the State Capital Improvement Program and the Local Transportation Improvement Program.
The programs are administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission and provide financial assistance to local communities for the improvement of their basic infrastructure systems.
Eligible projects include improvements to roads, bridges, culverts, water supply systems, wastewater systems, storm water collection systems and solid waste disposal facilities. County, city, village, township and other infrastructure districts located in Franklin County were eligible to apply.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission provides administrative support for OPWC District 3, including processing and reviewing grant and loan requests from local governments. After evaluating and scoring the funding applications, final funding approval is provided by OPWC.
Georges Creek bridge replacement
According to Carla Marable, director of communications for the Franklin County Engineer’s Office, construction for the Georges Creek bridge replacement on Winchester Pike is scheduled for July 2022. The project is scheduled for a 120 day closure, weather permitting.
The $216,478 OPWC grant only pays for part of the estimated $1.47 million total cost of the project. Marable said the project will also use funds from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s attributable funding of $1.16 million as well as Franklin County motor vehicle registration and gas user fees for the remaining project costs.
The planned detour is Gender Road to Shannon Road to Brice Road.
“The project will upgrade 0.06 miles of Winchester Pike by replacing an existing non-composite box beam bridge over Georges Creek with a three span concrete slab,” said Marable. “The spans for the proposed bridge are larger, helping to improve the hydraulic capacity of Georges Creek. There will be minimal roadway approach work.”
She said the project is needed because the bridge is rated in poor condition due to deterioration of the piers.
State Route 317/Lockbourne Road
Marable said construction for the improvements to the intersection of State Route 317 and Lockbourne Road is scheduled for 2022. The project is scheduled for a 60 day closure, weather permitting.
Improvements to the intersection of the $92,613 OPWC grant only pays for part of the estimated $2.5 million total cost of the project. Marable said the project will also use $2 million in Ohio Department of Transportation safety funding as well as Franklin County motor vehicle registration and gas user fees for the remaining project costs.
The planned detour is as follows:
•Southbound Lockbourne Road: Travelers will be directed west on Rathmell Road to U.S. Route 23 south to Rowe Road.
•Northbound Lockbourne Road: Travelers will be directed west on Rowe Road to U.S. Route 23 north to Rathmell Road.
•Eastbound State Route 317: Travelers will be directed south on U.S. Route 23 to State Route 762 east to Rickenbacker Parkway.
•Westbound State Route 317: Travelers will be directed south on Rickenbacker Parkway to State Route 762 west to U.S. Route 23.
“The project will construct a single-lane roundabout,” said Marable. “The project will improve safety at the intersection.”
