After not receiving any bids this summer for the Richland Avenue Project, originally estimated to begin this month, the $4.8 million infrastructure upgrade will kick off in March, the city said Tuesday.
After not receiving any bids this summer for the Richland Avenue Project, originally estimated to begin this month, the $4.8 million infrastructure upgrade will kick off in March, the city said Tuesday.
The city hired Shelly and Sands to complete the Richland Avenue Project, according to a news release from the Athens Department of Engineering and Public Works.
Mayor Paul Wiehl said no bids were made the first time around due to the many restrictions originally set by the city — such as opening a certain number of lanes during Ohio University’s move-in week. After revising guidelines, Wiehl said, two competing bids were made. The construction project is now slated to conclude by late August, before students hit the bricks on campus again.
City Engineer and Director of Public Works Andy Stone said in a previous Post articlethat he thought the project would begin in late September, with a break from Nov. 15 to March 1 for the winter weather.
Construction will take place between Dairy Lane and Canterbury Drive, according to the press release. The project is focused on improving the quality of the street, not only aesthetically, but also at the infrastructural level underneath the pavement.
Stone has said the project has three goals:“to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Also we have to rehabilitate failing infrastructure, and improve drainage and limit flash flooding.”
Also, the project will be upgrading the streets — adding new curbs, sidewalks, bike lanes, pavement and lighting — but also installing new water lines and upgrading the sewer systems, according to the press release.
The city will also be installing new traffic signals in hope to reduce the number of accidents in the area. According to a safety study carried out by TEC Engineering, Inc., the area is the third highest crash location in Athens, with 39 accidents between 2007 and 2009.
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