By James Massara
CCN News Director

BUCYRUS — Traffic patterns and road construction were main talking points during Bucyrus City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening.

Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser presented a letter from the Bucyrus Traffic Commission to the Bucyrus Health and Safety Committee with recommendations for amendments and repeals to the city’s traffic control map.

Those changes included:

  • Repealing a portion of an ordinance stating “A 35-mph speed limit sign on N. Sandusky Avenue from Irving Street to the north corporation limit.”
  • Ohio 4 south from Beal Avenue to Mt. Zion Road to 45 mph
  • Ohio 19/100 from Sherwood Drive to Beal Avenue 45 mph
  • Ohio 19 from Tiffin Street to Ohio 4 to 55 mph
  • Ohio 98 from Beal Avenue to Mt. Zion Road to 45 mph
  • Ohio 98 from Irving Street to the west ramp to 45 mph
  • No parking on the west curb of Spring Street at West Mansfield Street on the south side of West Mansfield Street for 215 feet.
  • Remove the right and left turn lanes on West Mansfield Street at Spring Street
  • Remove the turn lane on West Mary Street at Poplar Street
  • Establish 127-feet eastbound turn lane on West Mary Street at North Sandusky Avenue

The changes were reviewed by council and referred back to the health and safety committee.

Reser told council that some changes to the traffic control map were at the discretion of ODOT and the city couldn’t refuse to follow the changes in those situations.

“Despite the roads being inside the city limits, they still are state highways and ODOT has the rights to them,” Reser said. “Even if we disagree with it, the decision is ultimately theirs.”

Reser said one change that city administrators disagree with is the increase of the speed limit on a portion of Marion Road from 35 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour.

A few council members questioned the change to Reser. Reser replied that he and other administrators addressed concerns on the change, but said ODOT representatives were adamant about continuing with it.

Reser also told council that ODOT began a project on Plymouth Street at North Sandusky Avenue, and the project will continue east on Plymouth Street.

Motorists were encouraged to find a different route if possible, but Reser encouraged city residents to contact his office if extreme issues are found.

“I would encourage motorists to take other routes, such as Irving Street,” Reser said. “It’s not our project, but we know who to contact in case of a big problem. If anyone has an issue, they can contact our office.

In other council business, multiple ordinances were discussed before being approved, including an update to Certain Trees Prohibited ordinance, adding $6,000 to the allocation for the city pool for additional needed chemicals and adding an additional parks seasonal worker.

The items were approved with the second and third readings being waived.

Councilmember Monica Sack was absent from the meeting.

Council’s next meeting is July 3 at 6 p.m. Council agreed to meet earlier to accommodate for the firework display that evening.