By Jordan Studer
news@wbcowqel.com
Quite a few companies showed interest in the Portland Way North Street Reconstruction project in Galion, but Underground Utilities came out on top.
Six different companies turned in their bids for the project on May 31. Each bid was reviewed and the Galion Board of Control made its decision Monday.
The two-month project consists of a complete renovation of Portland Way North. The road will be entirely torn out and replaced with concrete. Due to the location of the reconstruction, a portion of the sanitary sewer that is worn out will be replaced as well.
The construction on Portland Way North will be south of Carter Drive to slightly north of Heise Park Lane. During the project, the intersections will remain open for traffic. According to Carl Watt, council chairman and current acting mayor, reconstruction will begin on the west half of the street first because the sanitary sewer is located within that side.
While the west side of the road will be under construction, the east side of the road will remain open for one-lane traffic going north. After the west side of the street is complete, the east side will be reconstructed. During this time, the west side of the street will remain open for one-way traffic going north.
Watt explained the efforts the Board of Control is making to cut truck traffic off at Ohio 288, south of town. This will be similar to the traffic control that occurred during the reconstruction of Portland Way South. To alert drivers of the detour, message boards will be placed on State Route 30.
“We hope not to hurt any of the businesses out there. There will be an opening you can get through. You can’t go south – you can go north. You can either go out to Brandt Road East or Brandt Road West,” Watt explained.
Safety Service Director Nikki Ward wanted to assure the community that throughout the project there will be access to Ralphie’s through Heise Park Lane. Ward also mentioned that the State Farm Agency will be able to be accessed through Dr. Santiago’s office.
Underground Utilities, of Monroeville, submitted the lowest bid at $442,480.95. Their bid was determined as the most favorable and they were awarded the project on Monday.
Kelstin turned in the highest bid at $564,015.10. Bids were also submitted by DL Smith Concrete ($449, 853.82), Ropper Construction ($444,552.25), Elite Excavating ($474,454.62), and Buckeye Excavating ($468,130.00).
The project is set to begin on June 15 and will be completed shortly before school begins.