City discusses upcoming projects

The City of Tiffin Street Sidewalk & Sewer Committee met Friday afternoon to discuss upcoming City Engineer Department projects. During the meeting nine legislation requests were approved for projects including the $4.4 million Ella Street Bridge replacement project and the $440,000 Ella Street Canal Bridge project. The Ella Street project includes a replacement of the bridge over the Sandusky River. The city has received $2 million in federal funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation through the Municipal Bridge Program. According to Matt Watson, city engineer, who presented during the committee, the city is to submit a $500,000 Ohio Public Works Grant application for further funding in fall 2021. The city will also be using $300,000-$400,000 from the city's Road & Bridge Levy toward bridge projects. Watson said the deadline to submit the proposed plans is set for March, with bids for July 2022 and proposed construction in November 2023. Watson said through a consultant from ODOT, the city's bridges are inspected and the Ella Street Bridge is currently rated a 4 out of 9. "We have to adhere to ODOT's timeline and we need to take advantage of that," Watson said. In addition to the Ella Street Bridge the canal bridge project will include replacement of the bridge deck over the Aqua waterworks Canal. The proposed bid for this project is set for March with construction during May-August 2020. Watson said the construction dates are to coincide with Tiffin City Schools' spring break. The canal bridge currently as a load restrictions, which does not allow large vehicles such as school buses and fire trucks. Included will be an easement for utility companies. The canal bridge project will also include the widening of sidewalks. The committee also approved to move forward with legislation for Market and Perry street improvements for the proposed Railroad Safety Improvement project needed for the City of Tiffin's Quiet Zone application. Roadway improvements are to be made on E. Market and E. Perry streets between Greenfield Street and the CSX Railroad. The project will include the converting of on-street parking on westbound E. Market Street into a vehicular travel lane. The total estimated cost of this project is $789,000. Watson said he hopes to bid this project in March also. The project will also include the widening of rwardways at the curves of both E. Market and E. Perry streets. The project will also include a component for additional curbing around the new quad railroad crossing gates to be installed by CSX. This project has an estimated cost of $35,000. Work by CSX is proposed for early March and with an estimated completion date of June 2020. Within the Railroad Safety Improvement project, there will be a vehicle detection project. The project will include the installation of vehicle loop detection devices within the E. Perry and E. Market streets crossings — in addition to the Clinton Avenue, Wall and Nelson streets crossings. These detection loops are to detect any vehicle that may be trapped within the gates. Other projects discussed included the 202 Street Paving Program and the resurfacing project. The Street Paving Program includes the paving of 15 streets at an estimated cost of $615,100, which is 100% funded by the Road & Bridge Levy. The proposed bid date is for May with completion in October. N. Washington Street from Six's Corners to Corporation Limits and W. Perry Street will be resurfaced with in the 2020 Ohio Public Works Commission grant. The estimated cost for the project is $334,890. The OPWC awarded the city a $100,000 grant. The State Highway Fund awarded $100,000 and $134,890 is provided from the Road & Bridge Levy. The estimated bid date is May 2020. Funds for the proposed projects have been appropriated within the 2020 City of Tiffin Budget. Legislation will be created for council to approve the plans for the projects, advertising for bids and bidding requests.