By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Seems like only yesterday the orange construction barrels had taken up residence on West Wooster Street. But that project came to its much awaited conclusion last fall, and with spring nearing, city officials are talking about the next round of construction projects.
City Engineer Brad Holman reported on public works projects Monday evening to the city’s Board of Public Utilities.
The big paving projects for this year include smoothing of the bumpy Pearl Street, from Wintergarden Road to South Church Street, and Sand Ridge Road, from Wintergarden Road to South Maple Street. Those projects are planned for sometime in the summer.
Also on the schedule is West Gypsy Lane Road, from Sand Ridge Road to Walmart, and East Gypsy Lane Road, from the Interstate 75 overpass to Dunbridge Road.
Long-awaited waterline projects are also in the works, Holman said. Within the next two weeks, the waterline work in the Village Subdivision (just west of the Bowling Green High School) will begin. The work will begin on Jefferson Street.
The other big waterline project is planned along South Main Street, from Ordway Avenue to Gypsy Lane Road. That project will be put out for bid in the next couple weeks.
And on the east side of the city, new electric poles have been installed at the new roundabout at Campbell Hill Road.
Following are more details about some of the bigger, multi-year projects:
South Main Street
Water line replacement on South Main Street, from Ordway to Napoleon Road in 2023-2024 prior to road project in 2025. Pavement rehabilitation on South Main Street from Ordway Avenue to the south corporation line, ADA ramp improvement, and bike path along the west side of South Main Street, from Gypsy Lane to Napoleon Road. Traffic signal replacement and road widening at South Main Street and Napoleon Road intersection.
Timeframe: 2023-2024 utility improvements, 2025 road rehabilitation and paving
Village Subdivision water line improvements
Water line replacement on Standish, Revere, Hamilton Court, Jefferson, Fort, Village, and Boone Court, including new water mains, water service lines to the curb stop, valves, and hydrants. The work will also include new catch basins, curbs and full-width street paving.
Timeframe: 2023-2024
Park – Leroy water line replacement
Replace approximately 1,000 feet of 8-inch water main along Park Street between Leroy Avenue and Poe Road. Replace approximately 450 feet of 8-inch water main on Leroy Avenue between College Drive and Park Street.
Timeframe: 2024-2025
Brim Road shared use path
Construct an asphalt shared use path for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized users along Brim Road from Bishop Road to North Christopher Street, with an additional segment along Van Camp Road to approximately 701 Van Camp Road before traversing cross-country southward to the Bowling Green Middle and High School property.
Timeframe: Begin construction spring 2026; completed fall 2026
West Wooster Street and Maple Street pedestrian hybrid beacon
Installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon traffic signal at the intersection of West Wooster Street and Maple Street for improved pedestrian crossing of Wooster Street.
Timeframe: Begin construction summer 2024; completion fall 2024
Sand Ridge Road and Maple Street rectangular rapid flash beacon
Pedestrian crossing, with installation of a rectangular rapid flash beacon at the intersection of Sand Ridge Road and Maple Street for improved pedestrian crossing of Sand Ridge Road.
Timeframe: Begin construction summer 2024; completion fall 2024
Thurstin Street and Pike Street rectangular rapid flash beacons
Installation of a rectangular rapid flash beacon at the intersection of Thurstin Street and Pike Street for improved pedestrian crossing of Thurstin Street.
Timeframe: Completion fall 2024. Curb ramps have been replaced to accommodate the improved crossing. Waiting for delivery of rectangular rapid flash beacons.
Gypsy Lane resurfacing
Milling and paving 1.5 inches of asphalt on West Gypsy Lane Road from Sand Ridge Road to South Main Street, and East Gypsy Lane Road from I-75 to Dunbridge Road.
Timeframe: Bids awarded for 2024 project
Brim and Bishop roundabout
Installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Brim Road and Bishop Road.
Timeframe: 2027-2028
South Main pedestrian hybrid beacons
Installation of two pedestrian hybrid beacons to facilitate crossing of South Main Street near 936 and 1010 South Main Street.
Timeframe: Pursuing funding opportunities for the project. If funded, this project would be built in 2025 during the South Main paving project.
