ASHLAND — An Ohio Department of Transportation repaving project of two roads in the city could spell fewer streets being resurfaced this summer, Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said.
The city’s portion of a $4.5 million resurfacing project for U.S. Route 42 and Sandusky Street backed by ODOT could be $744,536.
That’s according to an ordinance Ashland City Council unanimously approved on April 2.
The city entered an agreement with ODOT in November that will lead to repaving U.S. Route 42 between Baney and Cleveland roads and Sandusky Street between Baney Road and Cottage Street.
ODOT has said the project could start by July and last through September. It will not include work to existing sidewalks, Miller said.
The mayor said the city will use money from its street resurfacing budget to pay for its 20% matching portion of the project. He said the city could use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act “if needed.”
City finance records show $1.2 million has been spent from the $2.1 million ARPA allocation so far. Most of that money — just north of $1 million — went to the Claremont Avenue project last summer.
Another $136,000 went to giving all city employees a $750 bonus in December, said Larry Paxton, the city’s finance director. The bonuses did not go to elected officials, Paxton said.
Could the $744,536 affect 2024 street resurfacing?
The city’s usage of street resurfacing funds might affect the number of streets to be repaved this summer, Miller said.
The city spent $2.6 million in 2023 repaving 64 streets.
But Miller said the city will still pave streets this summer, including 16 alleys and possibly a “handful of streets over the Fifth Street, Marlo Avenue area of our city.”
He said some streets near Fifth Street and Marlo Avenue are in poor condition, and have been for some time. The city applied unsuccessfully for grants to cover the cost of repaving in that area.
“We’re just going to move forward … we just can’t leave those streets continue to be in the condition they’re in,” he said, adding, however, those plans could change.
Council has not voted on legislation determining which streets around Ashland are to be paved this year.