The Federal Stimulus project for the County Engineer Resurfacing Project has begun in Scioto County. Sub-contractors for the Shelly Company have already begun working on the signal improvements and pavement grinding on this project in advance of the paving operations. The Shelly Company scheduled the hot-mixed blacktop for placement Wednesday and will continue for about two weeks as weather permits. This $1.26 million project administered by Scioto County Engineer Craig Opperman is funded from $1.2 Million of American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds through the Federal Highway Administration and the Ohio Department of Transportation. The remaining $63,038.51 will be funded by County Engineer Motor Vehicle License and Gas Taxes.

This project includes resurfacing with hot-mix blacktop, pavement grinding, traffic sign upgrades, traffic signal upgrades, school zone improvements and upgrade to pavement markings on the following road locations:

• Lucasville-Minford Road: Blue Run Road to Ohio 335

• Scherer Hollow Road: Corporation limit to Corporation limit

• Dixon Mill Road: Slocum Heights Road to Ohio 140

• Dogwood Ridge Road: Lick Run–Lyra Road to Hammerstein Road

• Gallia Pike: Lafayette Road in Franklin Furnace to Haverhill-Ohio Furnace Road

“These routes were selected based upon their classification as Federal Aid Secondary System routes” Opperman said. “The Scioto County Engineer’s Office has only 13 of these designated routes and in order for a project to receive stimulus funding then all the project routes had to have this designation. Many other important projects throughout the state were not considered because they did not meet this requirement for funding. We were fortunate to receive one of the two highway improvement projects in Scioto County and ours being the largest of the two projects. This seems to show the confidence that the state has in our operations.”

Fifteen culvert replacements and one total bridge replacement on Dixon Mill Road was performed last year by the Scioto County Engineer employees in advance of this planned project.

The Scioto County Engineer’s Office prepared the plans, bid documents and is performing all of the project administration and inspection.

Opperman stated that the Shelly Company will be using their Scioto County Asphalt Plant and crews for resurfacing on this project. Traffic will be maintained by one lane flagging operations and some minor delays should be expected. The contractors have until Aug. 31 to complete all the work on this project.