Lower-than-expected costs for projects using federal stimulus funds have allowed the Ohio Department of Transportation to reinstate bridge construction at railroad crossings in Fostoria and Swanton that had been put on hold.
The Jones Road crossing on the north side of Fostoria and the Hallett Avenue crossing in Swanton were part of a $200 million crossing-elimination campaign then-Gov. Bob Taft announced in 2000 to relieve congestion and delays to emergency vehicles at problem spots.
Bridges have been built or are under construction at several locations, including the Tiffin Street crossing on Fostoria's west side and Seaman Road in Oregon, but program funding was exhausted before money was set aside for Jones or Hallett.
Some American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds were unused because several projects came in below estimates.
Those funds now will contribute $3.9 million toward the Jones bridge's $10.6 million estimate and pay the $8.7 million needed to build the Hallett structure, said Theresa Pollick, an ODOT spokesman in Bowling Green.
The two bridges were chosen for the unused stimulus funds because construction documentation is completed, making them ready to build. ODOT expects to bid contracts in January and start construction in the spring, Ms. Pollick said."I think it's just great," Swanton Mayor James Bushong said yesterday. "It's all shovel-ready."
"We're more than happy to take leftover money," quipped John Davoli, Fostoria's mayor.
Mr. Davoli said the Jones Road bridge would provide a short-term boost for construction jobs, and support development of his city's nearby industrial area. The bridge will fit into a longer-term project to build a perimeter road around Fostoria's eastern fringe.
The Fostoria project's budget includes part of a $6.8 million federal grant secured by the late U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor for the loop road's construction, plus smaller allocations from other sources, including $300,000 assigned to the city by the Ohio Rail Development Commission after Fostoria closed two other railroad crossings.
Still unfunded is construction of a bridge on Loudon Township Road 43 that, in conjunction with a new road, was planned to provide new access into an East Fostoria neighborhood known as the Iron Triangle. The nickname was given because slow-moving trains can isolate the neighborhood from emergency services.
Road 43, Jones, and Hallett had been scheduled for contract bidding late last year before ODOT determined it no longer had enough money.
The transportation agency blamed construction costs that soared five years ago, because of rising steel and asphalt prices, for the funding shortfall.
Contact David Patch at:
dpatch@theblade.com
or 419-724-6094.
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