By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council heard ordinances last week that will make major improvements beneath and on the surface of South Main Street.
The work is hoped to eliminate the flooding issues along South Main Street, replace aging water mains, resurface the road, create a 10-foot shared use path along the west side of the roadway, and possibly put a crosswalk in the block between Napoleon and Gypsy Lane roads.
Council heard the first reading Monday of an ordinance to replace the water mains along South Main Street from Ordway Avenue to the southern corporation line near U.S. 6.
The estimated cost for the water main engineering and construction is $1.5 million, and the city anticipates the need for an Ohio EPA and Ohio Water Development Authority loan to fund the project in 2023.
Earlier this month, City County heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to enter into contracts for design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction for improvements on South Main Street from Ordway Avenue to the south corporation limit.
The utility upgrade is planned for 2023/2024, and the paving project will occur in 2025.
The first portion of the project will be the installation of a new water main from Ordway Avenue to Gypsy Lane Road. The project will upsize aging water mains to improve service to customers as well as maintain fire flows. The work is also needed to prepare for water main replacement work planned on Kenwood Avenue in the next few years.
The second portion is the resurfacing of South Main Street from Ordway to the south corporation limit. This work will include base repairs, a 10-foot wide shared use path on the west side of South Main Street from Napoleon Road to Gypsy Lane Road, upgrading the traffic light at Napoleon and South Main from a span-wire light to aluminum mast arms, and ADA ramp improvements.
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments and the Ohio Department of Transportation funding will pay for approximately 80% of the roadway improvements. Identifying the location for a potential new mid-block crosswalk will also be a part of the engineering activities, with potential funding applications to be made later.
The city’s utilities staff recommends replacing the water mains prior to the paving work, which is scheduled for 2024/2025.
The section of South Main Street from Ordway Avenue to Napoleon Road is currently served by an 8-inch water main on the east side of the street and a 3-inch water main on the west side of the street.
These lines are old cast iron pipes and are recommended to be replaced due to age, condition, and to reduce the chances of damaging the new pavement. The 3-inch line does not provide good water pressure and flow to the residents connected to it. The 8-line has experienced many breaks and the joints on the older pipe are susceptible to leaks.
The 8-inch line continues south of Napoleon Road on the east side of the street to Gypsy Lane Road. The city plans to replace the 8-inch cast iron pipe with a 12-inch pipe due to similar problems.
Between Southwood Drive and Gypsy Lane Road there is also a 16-inch prestressed concrete water main and about 800 feet of 8-inch cast iron watermain on the west side of the street. Customers who are served by the 8-inch line would be served off of the new 12-inch water main.
The 16-inch main will likely remain in service for now and only serves a few customers in the immediate area. The value of the 16-inch line is mostly to move water from the downtown area to the south side of the city .
The water model recommends replacing the 3-inch and 8-inch water mains with one 12-inch water main to provide adequate fire protection to the area and maintain system pressures.
The city is also considering moving the fire hydrants to the side streets in order to reduce conflicts on the sidewalks, corrosion from winter salt application, and potential traffic accidents.
The cost for engineering and construction is estimated at $1.5 million and the city anticipates the need for an OEPA/OWDA loan to fund the project in 2023. An engineering firm will be needed to prepare construction bid documents for the water main replacement.
The city is also planning to have the engineering consultant review the storm sewer infrastructure on South Main Street and the potential benefits of adding storm water detention in the corridor to alleviate street flooding issues.
