GALION, Ohio — After a delay in construction, Mayor Tom O’Leary said Monday that he expected the Portland Way South project to begin Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The project entails a total reconstruction, said O’Leary, using a combination of state and city funds.
“The funding on the Portland Way South project is a loan and a grant combination from Ohio Public Works Commission and city resources,” said O’Leary. He explained that Portland Way, which is a state route, is under the city of Galion’s responsibility under Ohio Revised Code 5521.01.
Buckeye Excavating & Construction, from Monroeville, and Smith Concrete & Design, from Norwalk, will serve as contractors for the Portland Way South project.
O’Leary said choosing privately owned contractors instead of the Ohio Department of Transportation was based on time.
“The north portion of the Portland Way project, the need for it, was determined (by ODOT) back in 2005. So it took 10 years,” said O’Leary. “So the waiting for ODOT to come along on Portland Way South and their federal funds, is just not a realistic option.”
The project will connect the southern portion of Portland Way to the newly constructed northern portion. O’Leary said Portland Way between the hospital and the railroad tracks is rough, rendering the project necessary.
O’Leary said drives affected by the construction will still be allowed access by police and fire vehicles. A temporary gravel road will be made for those affected areas, which include residential drives and a nursing home.
