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TORONTO -- Two major infrastructure projects are slated for the city's North End in the near future.
Crews have begun preparations for the replacement of the deck of the Alexander Street Bridge at Toronto's northern entrance from state Route 7 and Gov. Mike DeWine has announced the city has been awarded $1.3 million to replace waterlines at the city's North End.
Plans call for the bridge at the Robert Urich Interchange to be reduced to one lane while crews replace each half of its deck as well as building new approach slabs, support walls and expansion joints.
Crews are preparing to activate temporary traffic signals to direct traffic through the area while work is done during the next few months.
APBN Inc. of Pulaski, Pa., is the contractor for the project, which is being funded with about $837,489 from the Ohio Department of Transportation and $283,000 from the city, with some of the local money taken from funds left over from the Titanium Way bridge project from several years ago.
The Alexander Street Bridge extends across the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, linking North Fifth Street to state Route 7.
Later this year crews are expected to replace about 1,400 linear feet of water line in the area of North Fifth, Henley and Myers streets serving about 200 people.
DeWine said the city will receive a $1,358,406 grant for the project, one of 343 local water projects to be supported by nearly $500 million in Ohio B.U.I.L.D.S. grants.
In its fifth round, the grant program supports broadband, utilities and infrastructure for local development.
"Having a strong water infrastructure not only safeguards the health and well-being of our residents, but it makes our neighborhoods more resilient and better prepares local leaders for sustainable economic growth," DeWine said.
Mayor John Parker said the grant will allow the city to replace lead lines and valves and repave affected areas of the street when the work is done.
"This is a tremendous break for the taxpayers of Toronto," he said, noting the grant is expected to cover about three-fourths of the project's cost.
Parker said he had worked with Erin Wright of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and Steve Hamit of Thrasher Engineering, which designed the project, to apply for the grant.
He said the grant application was supported by data collected several years ago when the city conducted an income survey of residents to show the need for federal assistance.
Parker confirmed the city's eligibility was due in part to the large number of retired senior citizens living there.
He said the upgrades should improve water pressure for customers, and an effort will be made, while the work is being done, to keep disruptions to service at a minimum.
Parker said following Toronto Council's approval, bids will be sought from potential contractors in the near future.