Welcome

Joseph B. Kovach, P.E.,P.S.
Huron County Engineer

150 Jefferson Street
Norwalk, OH 44857
(voice)419-668-1997 (fax)419-668-8308
toll free 1-800-662-ENGR

IN AN EMERGENCY, AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS, PLEASE CALL THE HURON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT: 419-668-6912

Clearance set for safety improvement

After nearly a year of on site preparation Greenwich Milan Town Line Road in rural Huron County stands ready to be the first county roadway in Ohio to receive funding under the Federal Highway Administration’s

High Risk Rural Roads Program.

The safety $1.2 million dollar project is designed to improve a portion of Greenwich Milan Town Line Road between Zenobia and Court roads just southeast of Norwalk.

Officials at ODOT District 3 indicated this week “At this time, it appears that a Level 1 Categorical Exclusion environmental document will be appropriate”. “That’s great news” for the county’s much anticipated Greenwich Milan Town Line Road safety improvement project, according to Huron County Engineer Joe Kovach. The Level 1 Categorical Exclusion recognition is a major milestone. “This indicates ODOT’s environmental office is ready to begin aiding the Engineer’s with accomplishing the few remaining tasks”, Kovach said, “the CE 1 status permits the project to be finalized before the end of 2009 and commence construction in 2010”.

According to federal regulations, ODOT environmental and design staff must “sign off” on the county’s project prior to the completion of final construction plans. “A final, project description will be forwarded to ODOT detailing all of the proposed work including preliminary plans, and the project’s “footprint”, Kovach noted, “This allows ODOT to review and assess any possible, or unanticipated, environmental impacts”.

While ODOT completes their review of the project’s scope County Engineer personnel will be busy seeking comments from the public on the project as they finalize the design details for this Safety Project.  Since the roadway borders four townships, the Township Trustees, Local Residents and the Traveling Public can provide comments or ask questions by contacting the Huron County Engineer's Office, as the design details for the project are completed.

Kovach was quick to recognize what he called the “outstanding cooperation” already received from ODOT District 3’s staff. “With three bridges funded with Stimulus funds, an important bridge rehabilitation project in the wings, and a major pavement marking effort just completed, ODOT’s level of cooperation has been nothing short of exemplary.”

Preparing for the $1.5 million HRRR Safety Project hasn’t been all concepts and drawings.  Kovach indicated the county spent much of this past summer completing a myriad of drainage improvements along Greenwich Milan Town Line Road in anticipation of the upcoming safety improvement project. “It was work that had to be done”. Speaking of the county’s eagerness to put the safety funding to work, the County Engineer said, “We plan on being ready once everything has been approved”, the Engineer said.

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