ODOT to address tall grass

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By Wayne Allen

[email protected]

If you’ve driven route 23 or route 52 in recent weeks, you may have noticed an abundance of tall grass lining the highways. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) address the issue on Wednesday and cut the grass.

“Our four-lanes (highways) in District 9 and elsewhere in the state are under contract for mowing,” said Kathleen Fuller, ODOT District 9 spokeswoman.

She said the grass along ODOT maintained two-lane roadways are trimmed by ODOT crews, and the contractor that covers Scioto County has a similar contract in Gallia County. The contract includes four-lane highways.

“The contract mirrors our (ODOT) mowing season. We will mow four times a year, typically. We will do some trimming and weed eating (on highways) as needed,” Fuller said.

When ODOT crews mow; it typically falls before the holidays.

“Our crews have already been out on all of our two-lane routes, twice this year and they are beginning their third round,” Fuller said.

She said the type of grass located in most medians is Johnson Grass that grows quickly.

“Everything has been mowed already, but has grown so much; you have to keep in mind how much rain we had in June and July. Johnson Grass is the culprit and it grows very, very fast,” Fuller said. “The contractor has been out and has mowed twice. They are again beginning their next round.”

There have been a number of cases where the Johnson Grass has grown so much along with a lot of rain, ODOT crews have stepped in and done the work. Fuller said this is not an issue exclusive to Scioto County, but is occurring across other ODOT districts throughout the state.

ODOT crews have been mowing route 23 from the Pike County line to Lucasville last week and this week in anticipation of the Scioto County Fair.

With permission from the contractor, Scioto County ODOT crews have cut the grass along four lane highways. When ODOT mows a four lane highway; an amount will be deducted from the contractor’s payment.

For more information about ODOT District 9 and ongoing activities visit, www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/d09.

Wayne Allen can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 1933 or on Twitter @WayneallenPDT

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Wayne Allen | Daily Times ODOT officials say they will be addressing tall grass issues later this week.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2015/08/web1_IMG_4200.jpgWayne Allen | Daily Times ODOT officials say they will be addressing tall grass issues later this week.

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