MOUNT VERNON — Danville-Amity Road has long been a source of frustration for motorists and the subject of many jokes about the size of its potholes, especially this past spring.
The good news is that the various pieces and parts for road repair are coming together. But residents and drivers will have to make do with pothole repairs for another winter.
County Engineer Cameron Keaton said the typical timeline when using state or federal funding for road projects is five years. That timeline starts when a project is identified, includes the grant application process and design phase, and ends when construction begins.
“Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funds can be available in one to two years, but we are limited on the size of grant we can ask for,” he explained.
The original 2018 safety study for the roadway went from Monroe Mills Road to the Village of Danville. The estimated cost in 2018 was $4.057 million.
“The total project exceeded the safety funding limits of the Ohio Department of Transportation; therefore, the project was divided into two phases,” Keaton said. “Phase 1 is from Skyline Drive east to Richards Street in the village. Phase 2 is from State Route 3 east to Skyline Drive.”
Keaton said that all improvements are being made with federal safety funds and are safety focused. The roadway will be widened and resurfaced and include new pavement markings, signage, and guardrail as required.
Phase 2 also includes edge line rumble strips on curves and relocating private driveway access where Apple Valley Road intersects County Road 14.
The construction estimate for Phase 1 is $1.836 million.
“Phase 1 has two funding sources,” Keaton said. “ODOT safety funds, which pays 100% excluding resurfacing, and OPWC funding of $700,000 to help pay for resurfacing.”
Phase 1 design plans are being completed and right of way (ROW) is being purchased where needed. Plans are due in December. The grant funding covers the design and ROW costs.
The next step is to solicit construction bids and award a contract. Construction is scheduled for 2023.
The estimated cost for Phase 2 is $2.247 million. The funding source is CEAO (County Engineers Association of Ohio) safety funds, which will pay 80%. The county is responsible for the remaining 20%.
“Statement of Qualifications have been received from design engineering firms for Phase 2. We will review the submittals and choose a design engineer for the project within the next couple of weeks,” Keaton said.
Final plans for Phase 2 are due December 2024. Construction is slated for 2025.
Keaton acknowledged drivers’ frustration with the current road conditions, and asked them to “hang in there.”
“I appreciate their patience and understand their concerns. We are working as quickly as possible to get this project completed,” he said. “With a major rebuild, you want to balance how much money you put into a roadway to preserve it, knowing it will all be taken out with the larger project.
“The other item that we constantly struggle with is spreading available funds out across 400 miles of roadway,” he added.
Keaton said his office constantly monitors roadway repairs across the county and addresses them as needed.
“If large potholes develop, contact the county engineer’s office, and we will take care of them as soon as possible,” he said.
You can reach the engineer’s office by phone at 740-397-1590, fax 740-393-6813, or visit 422 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, Monday -Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.
