News Releases

Townships awarded almost 1 million for road improvement

Nov 03, 2010

By Norwalk Reflector Staff

Three Huron County township roadway improvement projects have been awarded almost $1 million from Ohio's Small Government Commission, according to County Engineer Joe Kovach.

"Grant applications from New Haven, Ripley and Wakeman townships bested more than 90 other applicants from across the state" Kovach said. "This is really good news for our townships."

The Huron County's township projects initially qualified for funding in October when the township grant applications were selected as three of only five Ohio Public Works Commission's District 9 applications to be sent to Columbus.

"Huron County's township projects are the only township projects to receive funding in all of OPWC District 9," Lyme Township trustee Mike Nottke said.

District 9 is comprised of Lorain, Medina and Huron counties.

Nottke, heads up a special township ad hoc committee responsible for assisting and review of each township applications at the local level.

"With more than $4.5 million committed to township road improvements in the past decade, clearly our process is working," Nottke said.

The Small Government Commission's award of almost a $1 million the road work means Huron County's township projects represent nearly 15 percent of all of the funding released by the commission this year.

The trustees worked hard applying for these funds.

"The application process is grueling, complicated and consumes hours and hours of the trustees time and effort," Kovach said. "However, our township's success proves Huron County's diligence and dedication towards securing funding for road improvement projects is on the right track."

Linda Bailiff, of the Ohio Public Works Commission, notified the engineer's office late Tuesday that the three township projects would be receiving the much needed funds. "Technically, the funds won't be available until July 1," Kovach said. "In the interim, we'll be busy with final design, engineering and bidding."

Here's how the money will be spent:

Wakeman Township: West River Road Improvement Project. On West River Road, from Wakeman Village to the Huron County line. The effort will widen existing roadway from 16 to a full 20 feet. The project includes improvements to drainage, pavement, road profile and sight distances. Estimated project cost: $597,560; Funding request: $495,975.

New Haven Township: Buckinham Road Guardrail Project, between Bullhead and Holtz Road, calls for the installation of nearly a half mile of new guardrail along the dangerous Buchingham ditch. Estimate: $133,778; Assistance requested: $102,340.

Ripley Township: Old State Road Improvement Project, between Plymouth East Road (West) and Baseline Roads, will upgrade the existing 16 feet wide roadway to a full 20 feet, two-lane roadway in addition to improving drainage and sight distances. Estimate: $575,896; Funding assistance requested: $483,224.

"We are heartened the time, effort and dedication put into these applications will provide much needed additional roadway safety on our township roadways," Huron County Commissioner Gary Bauer said.

The commissioner indicated the funding shows what can happen when trustees remain dedicated to improving roadways. "These trustees understand you simply must work hard to create a winning application; no one is just going to hand you the needed rod improvement dollars."

The county engineer's office will be responsible for the design, engineering and inspection of the projects.

"We have high hopes that all of the three highway improvement efforts will be able to be constructed before winter," Kovach said.

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