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MOUNT VERNON — Summer is orange barrel time in Knox County and questions from readers about county road closures came fast and furious during the past several weeks.
“When will County Road 9/Howard-Danville Road reopen? It was supposed to be July but no word on it opening.”
“How soon will the bridge at the north edge of Howard on County Highway 9 be completed?”
“When is work going to start on the rest of Danville Amity Road from Monroe Mills to Amity/Rt 3?”
“What is going on with Porter Road? It was supposed to be back open on July 24.”
County Engineer Cameron Keaton provided some answers.
Local officials expected crews to complete the bridge replacement on Howard-Danville Road (County Road 9) by July. Crawford Construction replaced the existing 70-foot single-span steel pony truss bridge over Little Jelloway Creek with a prestressed concrete box beam.
However, Keaton said several pieces of guardrail must be custom-made for the project. Crawford will install the pieces as soon as they are received from the manufacturer.
Local bridge replacement funds will cover 95% of the $1.147 million estimated cost. Local funds will cover the remaining 5 percent.
Keaton said the county highway department will pave Cornish Road (CR 91) after the Howard-Danville Road bridge reopens.
Small’s Asphalt Paving Inc. won the award to resurface CR 14, Danville-Amity Road. Work will begin this fall.
The Ohio Public Works Commission is funding the project. Keaton’s office could not sign contracts until after July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year.
Porter Road
Township Road 257, Porter Road, is a College Township project. The roadway closed originally to install two new box culverts. Tree removal for better visibility and safety is part of the project.
Keaton said work started today to widen the roadway from 17 feet to 20 feet and prepare for resurfacing. The contractor is Small’s Asphalt Paving.
Trustee Will Houston said scheduling issues and waiting on guardrail led to unexpected delays.
According to the township website, workers should complete the second culvert today or tomorrow. Ditching, seeding and mulching should be done Aug. 12-14.
