Infrastructure Improvements

Below is a list of recent, current and/or upcoming projects on the engineering docket; please contact the City Engineer at 937-652-4321 if there are any questions or concerns about these.

2011 concrete improvements

Each year the City bids out its concrete work with jobs ranging from pouring cemetery headstone foundations to restoring roadway cuts.  J & J Schlaegel, Inc. was awarded the contract for the remainder of 2011 and part of 2012 after having the City's 2010 concrete work as well. 

North Main Storm Improvements

North Main Street Storm Improvements Project was constructed in fall 2011 to alleviate flooding in front of the Dairy Queen during periods of heavy rain.  Larger storm lines and manholes were placed along Orange Street to Taft Avenue, then down Taft to North Main Street and lastly up North Main to Twain Avenue. North Main Street also received new catch basins, providing more storm water inlets.  A $355,000 Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Grant aided the City.  J & J Schlaegel, Inc. performed the work for this project.

Dugan Ditch Improvements, Phase II

Dugan Ditch Improvements, Phase II is the culmination of a series of ditch projects aimed at eliminating restriction points in Dugan Ditch, the main stormwater channel for the City.  Work began in December 2011 and just wrapped up in May 2012.  Highlights included a new box culvert installation at both Julia Street and W. Ward Street.  The new one placed at Julia Street greatly increased capacity from the former, much smaller culvert while the new box on West Ward removed the previous load restrictions and slightly increased capacity.  Dugan Ditch was also cleaned from N. Russell Street to Julia Street.  A $318,000 grant was received from OPWC for project construction.  J & J Schlaegel, Inc. was also the contractor for this project.

South Main Water Main Extension

South Main Street Water Main Extension Project is currently in progress, funded through an interest free loan provided by OPWC.  New 12” water main will replace old 4” and 6” main from St. Rt. 55 to Urbana’s south corporation line along South U.S. 68.  From there it will continue to Vancrest.  To date, a total of about 6,000 feet of 12” water main has been installed with corresponding valves and fire hydrants.  Testing, water service hookups in town and seeding remain. The initial loan request from OPWC was $600,000 but bidding came in at $402,000 due to the use of PVC water main as an alternate.  Levan's Excavating is the prime contractor and began work in December 2011.

Safe Routes to School, Phase 1

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federally funded, 100% grant consisting of infrastructure and non-infrastructure work.  Urbana's infrastructure portion has gone towards sidewalk construction along N. Oakland Street, W. Light Street and Railroad Street.  Curb ramps along Main Street, Miami Street, Russell Street, Gwynne Street, Washington Avenue and Boyce Street were also installed.  The project's remaining components include flashing school zone signs and crosswalk striping for each elementary.  Project completion is by July 15, 2012.  Eclipse Company, LLC from Warrensville Heights, Ohio is the prime contractor.  Their bid tallied to $370,767.90.

Phoenix Drive REconstruction

Phoenix Drive Reconstruction is a project funded through another OPWC interest-free loan for approximately $220,000.  The project looks to reconstruct a failing concrete road used for industrial and commercial shipping off St. Rt. 55.  The existing concrete will be rubbilized in place and used as base for a new asphalt surface.  Look for this project to bid in late summer 2012.  Keep an eye on the Bid Info and Surplus tab for more information.

Asphalt Paving 2012

Along with Phoenix Drive, other streets in Urbana will receive new pavement, funded in various ways.  In particular, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be responsible for repaving N. Rohrer Street, Fyffe Street and part of Gwynne Street west of Oakland Street.  CDBG is providing about $59,000 which will cover the cost of these three streets.  Further, ODOT will be here in the late summer or early fall to pave all of Miami Street (U.S. 36) and some of Main Street (U.S. 68) from Reynolds Street to Laurel Oak Street.  The square will not be paved in either project due to its more recent asphalt coat.

Urbana will also run its normal Asphalt Paving of Streets program using its own revenue.  The street list includes at least portions of Poplar Street, Union Alley, Bloomfield Avenue, S. Kenton Street, Lincoln Street, N. Walnut Street, W. Powell Avenue, Washington Avenue and W. Light Street.  The City has opted to use about $100,000 of the abandoned 68 bypass fund to pay for a portion of this paving in 2012. Wagner Paving was awarded this project for $183,413.55.  Paving under this contract is set for anytime between May 28, 2012 and July 6, 2012.  Check the Bid Info and Surplus tab for more information.

 

Urbana is conveniently nestled in Champaign County in the heart of west central Ohio.

  • Incorporated in 1868
  • Approximately 6.8 square miles
  • Population 11,793 as of 2010 census
  • Home to Urbana University, a liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1500 and a 128-acre campus
  • Two national residential historic districts and multiple single sites on the registry
  • According to the Ohio Historical Society, in 1840 during the VanBuren-Harrison contest, downtown Urbana was the site for a national Whig convention dinner. Hanging nearby was a banner with the words "The People is Oll Korrect." This helped to perpetuate the national trend of using "OK," not only as a show of political support, but as a common phrase used today. (more)