Council OKs funds for light near Lourdes

11/6/2012

An increase in Lourdes University student traffic at the intersection of Brint and McCord roads is prompting the city of Sylvania to consider putting a traffic light there.

Kevin Aller, Sylvania’s director of public service, spoke to council members about the traffic increase at Monday’s meeting.

He said traffic at the intersection was reviewed in late spring, when Lourdes University presented a mid-campus development project that includes building a health academic building and an athletic and recreation facility. The Lourdes campus is on Convent Boulevard near Brint Road.

Since the campus enrollment has grown, the intersection is used heavily by commuters to and from the university.

“With Lourdes University, they now have a lot of students that are crossing Brint Road,” Mayor Craig Stough said. “Anybody that drives through in the morning can see the traffic backing up.”

Council members approved $11,000 in an emergency measure for DGL Consulting Engineers to develop a final design for the project.

Intersection improvement costs are estimated to be $151,000, which accounts for $140,000 in construction costs and $11,000 for design. Mr. Aller said the city will seek $73,990 in funding from an Ohio Public Works Commission grant, and has asked that Lourdes University contribute 25 percent of the construction amount.

The university sent a letter of commitment to the city Monday, outlining its intent to help pay for the project. The city’s burden would then amount to $57,760.

Applications for the grant funding are due next week.

“... We’ll know by the end of the month if we're successful or not,” Mr. Aller said.

Council also unanimously approved a resolution giving Mr. Aller permission to submit a second application for two other construction projects.

A roundabout to move vehicles more efficiently through the crowded area has been proposed for Brint and King roads.

The project has been considered for many years and delayed several times. The estimated cost for the project is $950,200.

Mr. Aller said two-thirds of the roundabout’s funding will be paid for from funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the city is seeking the rest from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

A third construction project, estimated at $860,940, involves the reconstruction of Monroe Street. Proposed plan includes water main work, including in the area between Silica Road and Erie Street.

The city is lumping the projects together to request funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission.

Mr. Aller said a construction schedule will depend on the grants, but that he was optimistic that both projects could begin the day after the Jamie Farr Toledo Golf Classic in July, 2013, to avoid traffic concerns.

Contact Kelly McLendon at: kmclendon@theblade.com or 419-206-0356, or on Twitter at @MyTownSylvania.