By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The city of Groveport agreed to contribute funds for the potential intersection improvements at Alum Creek Drive and Rohr Road.
Groveport City Administrator Marsha Hall said Franklin County is seeking an Ohio Public Works Commission grant to fund the $4.04 million project. The legislation Groveport City Council approved on Aug. 26 states the city agrees to fund an amount not to exceed $404,000, or 10 percent, of the project, whichever is less.
The Groveport monies would help fund the portion of Rohr Road in the city that tapers back from the intersection. The busy intersection is situated in an area near many warehouses that are located in the city.
Hall said the project will involve expanding the intersection, adding turn lanes, and increasing the distance of the turn lanes. She said if the OPWC grant is received by the county, the design phase of the project could be done in 2019 with potential construction in 2020.
Five year capital improvement plan
Council heard the second reading of legislation regarding the city’s five year capital improvement fund plan, which will cover the years 2019-2023.
Groveport City Council is considering legislation to update the plan, which includes proposed street, water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and parks projects.
According to the plan, street projects and their costs proposed for 2019 include: East Bixby Road (from near Ebright Road to U.S. 33) pavement rehabilitation, $348,000, funded by local and street maintenance funds; curb ramp upgrades on Main Street at Mohr and Lesleh avenues, $34,000, funded by local funds; and the traffic signal upgrade at Groveport Madison High School at State Route 317 and Firehouse Lane, $531,000, funded by a $316,223 grant, a $120,176 loan, $82,000 from other sources, and $57,600 in local funds.
The $450,000 annual street maintenance fund for 2019 will include resurfacing work on Main Street from College Street to Front Street (which was reconstructed in 1989-90) and on Main Street from Front Street east (which was reconstructed in 2003) to a point near the Groveport Recreation Center. Other streets to be included for work in 2019 and beyond are still to be determined.
Other 2019 projects listed in the proposed five year capital improvement fund plan are: $75,000 for generators for the sanitary sewer at Elmont and at Bixford; $50,000 for sanitary sewer force main replacements; a total of $304,000 for several various stormwater improvements and maintenance; $75,000 for neighborhood park improvements; and $180,000 for the 860 to 920 foot Bixford Green shared-use path to connect the Bixford Green subdivision to the Blacklick Creek Greenways Trail in Three Creeks Metro Park (the city has applied for an Ohio NatureWorks grant to help fund this construction). There are no water projects slated for 2019.
Hall said the plan also provides $40,000 to update the city’s five year Master Park Plan. She said the update will have an emphasis on Groveport Park.
Future potential projects
Street projects being considered include (costs and funding sources still to be finalized):
•For 2020: State Route 317/Saltzgaber/Pontius intersection improvements; Groveport Road reconstruction from Swisher Road to State Route 317.
•For 2021: West Bixby Road pavement rehabilitation from Madison Christian School to a point east of Hendron Road; Groveport Road widening at Groveport Park entrance; traffic signal upgrade at State Route 317 and Higgins Boulevard/Directors Boulevard;
•For 2022: Center Street reconstruction in conjunction with West Street north of Main Street plus water main improvements; Main Street at State Route 317 intersection improvements;
•For 2023: West Bixby Road pavement rehabilitation from Groveport Road to Bixby Ridge East and Metro Parks Drive to State Route 317.
Future water projects could include water main improvements on Elm, Center, West and Grove streets in 2022.
Council will vote on the updated five year capital improvement plan at its meeting on Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 655 Blacklick St.
