By WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

Scioto County has been awarded nearly $1.2 million in Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding to pave six roads and replace three county bridges.

“We received $773,858 in funding to replace three county bridges and funding to pave four county roads and two roads within the village of New Boston,” Scioto County Engineer Craig Opperman said.

Roads being resurfaced as a part of the project include part of Careys Run Pond Creek Road in Washington Township, Downtown Hayport Road in Porter Township, Junior Furnace-Powellsville Road in Green Township and part of Swauger Valley Road.

“In addition, we are working with the Village of New Boston to pave Lakeview Avenue and Oak Street,” Opperman said.

He said the paving in New Boston is being done in conjunction with the opening of the new school.

In total, there will be about 8.74 miles of road paved.

The bridges that are scheduled to be replaced are on Kendall Road in Madison Township, Van Crabtree Road in Morgan Township and Simpson Road in Rush Township.

Opperman said the funding for the projects are not available until the middle of July and are expected to be completed by the middle of November.

“With getting started late on these projects, it makes it difficult for contractors to get bridges done because it’s a real tight window, because you are missing part of your construction season,” he said.

Opperman said some of the bridge replacement projects have gone out to bid, but can’t be awarded until funding is available.

He said the bridge projects are being funded 80 percent by the Ohio Public Works Commission and 20 percent locally. The road projects are being funded 50 percent by the Ohio Public Works Commission and 50 percent locally.

“This is definitely a good thing for the county. With our declining revenue we need as much money as we can get,” Opperman said.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.