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Utility work jeopardizes two road projects
(by Sue Reid - November 12, 2009)
Utility work jeopardizes two road projects
By SUE REID
Deadlines for both the Pettibone Road and Bainbridge Road reconstruction projects are in jeopardy if the city does not put a plan into action, Solon Public Works Director James S. Stanek told the public works committee last week.
Both projects involve a great deal of utility relocation, Mr. Stanek said, "and the (Cleveland) Illuminating Co. does not have the manpower or resources for both.
"In preparing for this work, we were informed that there are utility-relocation-coordination issues which could delay both projects," Mr. Stanek said. "This is something that recently came to our attention."
Mayor Kevin C. Patton, city Engineer John J. Busch and Mr. Stanek met with CEI representatives, who said it was not adding up as to how to keep both projects on schedule. Poles in phase one of the Bainbridge Road reconstruction project must be moved as well as those in phase three of the Pettibone Road reconstruction. "It's a considerable amount of work," Mr. Stanek said.
"These projects have to happen when they are supposed to happen," he said. "Roads have to be cleared by April 1, 2010. Everyone is putting forth effort to get these done."
CEI is in the process of preparing a plan that would accelerate work in an effort to keep both projects on schedule, Mr. Stanek said. If the acceleration plan is not put into place, he said, this is not a "might not happen," in terms of the projects not completing on time, "but will not happen.
There is an associated cost with this plan, Mr. Stanek told the committee. That involves CEI rearranging their crews. In addition, the city is responsible for the maintenance of traffic during the utility work and there are costs associated with that as well, he said.
The committee approved legislation for utility relocation acceleration for both projects not to exceed $140,323 to be paid to CEI. The acceleration is specific to Pettibone Road, Mr. Stanek said, because it involves weekend work.
Mia Moore, manager of First Energy Corp services, CEI's parent, said, "We've worked diligently alongside the city in order to expedite the work and bring the project to completion within the matter of time the city and the county required."
Ms. Moore said line crews will come out of the Solon service center, which is at Solon and Cochran roads.
"We would really appreciate the cooperation from the city residents as well as travelers through Solon" while this work is being done, "as we highly regard public safety.
"Our estimated completion date is April 1, 2010, for phase one of the Bainbridge Road project and phase three of Pettibone," Ms. Moore said.
Those are in line with the deadlines the city has in place, which are for the completion, by the end of 2010, of phases two and three of the Pettibone Road reconstruction as well as phase one of the Bainbridge Road project.
Mr. Stanek said that it is beyond the inconvenience factor as to why these projects need to be completed on time. "It's a significant cost on the part of the contractor," he said.
"If we don't start Bainbridge Road on time, we are asking for failure," Councilman and committee member John T. Scott said.
The Bainbridge Road reconstruction is set to begin in spring 2010 and last two years.
Councilman and committee member Robert N. Pelunis encouraged Mr. Stanek to keep the cost for traffic maintenance as low as possible and to use internal personnel if necessary.
Mr. Pelunis asked if the city's auxiliary police officers could be used for traffic maintenance if necessary. Mr. Stanek said he has spoken with the police department about that but four full-time people are needed for the maintenance of traffic every day for the next seven weeks "without fail," Mr. Stanek said. "That was difficult for the police to commit to."
Councilman and committee member Edward H. Kraus asked Mr. Stanek what utility work has been done thus far. He said that the gas line has been installed on both roads. The order of utilities is typically the gas company, CEI, AT&T and cable is last. The bulk of the work is the CEI, Mr. Stanek said. Currently, they are working five days a week but will work weekends if they have to in order to meet the deadlines. Weekend work is at no additional cost, Mr. Stanek said.
Kenmore Construction, of Akron, was to begin work in phase three of the Pettibone Road project, which is from SOM Center Road (Route 91) to the city's west corporation line, on Nov. 9, Mr. Stanek said. The Bainbridge Road reconstruction project is set to go out to bid that same day.
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