City awarded $1.2 million ODOT grant

The city of St. Marys has been awarded a $1.2 million pedestrian safety grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The award was part of approximately $51 million in grants that were announced on Thursday by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s office. The grants are designed to address pedestrian safety across the state of Ohio.

“This is exciting news for our community,” St. Marys Safety-Service Director Greg Foxhoven said. “We look forward to making this area of the city safer for pedestrians as the complex continues to grow.”

The city’s project will include the design and installation of sidewalks, curb ramps and pedestrian signal heads along Indiana Avenue (Ohio 29) at the two entrances to St. Marys Square Business Complex – Kishler Street and Executive Drive. The sidewalk on the south side of Indiana Avenue will be extended as part of the project.

“This is something that has definitely been needed in the community for several years, especially with all the recent residential development in the area,” St. Marys Superintendent of Community Services and Engineering Craig Moeller said.

Design is tentatively scheduled to take place in state fiscal years 2023-2024 with installation tentatively scheduled for state fiscal year 2025.