WATERLINES ON THE WAY

Erie Street replacement set to start three-month construction project

With the recent adoption of a resolution by the Lake County commissioners for an upcoming waterline replacement project in Willoughby, Lake County Sanitary Engineer Randy Rothlisberger issued some advice to the public.

“Avoid Erie Street.” Rothlisberger said that a part of the major thoroughfare will be congested with construction work and utility vehicles, “for a few months,” from north of Route 20 to Spaulding Street, beginning at the end of January.

The unanimous measure passed by the commissioners awards a bid contract in the amount of $975,549 to Wickliffe-based Trax Construction Co. for the Erie Street Waterline Replacement Project.

“... Obviously, there is going to be some significant impact along that route.” — Lake County Sanitary Engineer Randy Rothlisberger

Overall, eight bids were received for the project, with Trax Construction coming in 11 percent under the engineer’s estimate of $1.1 million.

“We’ve been working very closely with the city to minimize the impact, but obviously there is going to be some significant impact along that route,” Rothlisberger said, further advising residents to take alternative routes. “The city of Willoughby is a co-sponsor (of the project) and requested that we do this during the winter, which we are.”

Lane closures will be detailed prior to the launch of construction, he added.

The project will abandon the existing 8- and 12-inch waterlines running parallel down Erie Street in Downtown Willoughby and install the new 12-inch main. Rothlisberger noted businesses along the route have been notified of the project, and that the contractor has been instructed to be accommodating to the public visiting the area, most notably on St. Patrick’s Day.

“We want to get to the right people because sometimes the owners of the businesses that we mail things to aren’t always the occupants who are going to be affected by it,” he said. “We’re also going to do a walk-through to hand out some things along with the mailings prior to starting construction.

“We’ll do our best to communicate with everybody. Again, there will certainly be inconveniences, but we’re going to try to minimize those as best we can.”

The county received $198,000 in Ohio Public Works Commission grant money, in addition to $150,000 in loans from the state. Willoughby is funding $108,660 toward pavement costs.

Lane closures will be detailed prior to the launch of construction.

CHAD FELTON — THE NEWS-HERALD Starting at the end of January, the Erie Street Waterline Replacement Project will commence, jamming up a portion of the major thoroughfare for about 90days, according to the Lake County Utilities Department.