By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green residents had been warned that this would be a challenging year as they tried to traverse their way across town.
In a couple weeks, the patience of motorists will be further tested.
Bowling Green Public Works Director Brian Craft reminded City Council Monday evening that starting on April 15, the south half of the Interstate 75 bridge deck on East Wooster Street will be closing for the roundabout construction.
So traffic will be able to go eastbound to do their shopping at Meijer, Craft said. But they will have to take the long way home.
Construction of the I-75 and East Wooster Street interchange project has been progressing with minimal impacts to traffic thus far, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
However, in order to construct the rest of the bridge and the roundabouts on either side of I-75, there are some upcoming impacts to East Wooster Street’s traffic flow.
From April 15 through May 19, only eastbound Wooster Street will be permitted over I-75. Westbound Wooster Street traffic will be detoured using Dunbridge Road to Poe Road to Mercer Road.
Beginning with that restriction and going through July, the ramp from Wooster Street to northbound I-75 will be closed. The detour will be Dunbridge Road to U.S. 6 to I-75.
All other ramps will remain open.
Then from May 20 through July, Wooster Street over I-75 will be closed to all traffic. All traffic will be detoured using Dunbridge Road to Poe Road to Mercer Road. This is to construct the roundabouts.
Also on Monday, City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the city to enter contracts for design, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction of a roundabout at East Wooster Street and Campbell Hill Road.
In other business, Mayor Dick Edwards talked about the natural gas break caused by construction work in the downtown last week.
“It really caused us a great deal of stress,” especially since it followed a waterline break in the same area the day before.
But Edwards praised the response by the city police, firefighters, public utilities and public works crews.
“I was really impressed by the way everyone responded,” he said.
Also at the meeting, Public Utilities Director Brian O’Connell reported that all six water filters at the water treatment plant will be up and working in time for the harmful algae season.
Council President Mike Aspacher talked about the investment Bowling Green has made in providing good water to customers.
“It really results in a very quality water,” he said. “This sophisticated filtration process elevates us in the region.”
In other business:
- The mayor reported that the state budget is expected to include a 9.1 percent increase in Local Government Funds in 2020, followed by a 1.8 percent increase in 2021.
- Craft announced the city is getting quite a few calls from residents about brush pickup, with 180 requests made on Monday. Citizens may call up through April 8 to have brush picked up.
- Craft said a new retaining wall and wider 5-foot sidewalks are being installed along City Park Lot 3 off South Church Street.
- Council learned a Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee meeting will be held June 3, at 6 p.m., to discuss a strategy for East Wooster Street.
