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LIBERTY -- Approximately four months have passed since construction crews paused work on one of the township's several infrastructure projects, but work is set to resume soon, according to Liberty's road superintendent.
Wayne Hickman said Wednesday that the Belmont Avenue sidewalk, which began March 30 and was paused a month later, will "continue as soon possible," adding that Faust Construction, the project's contractor, is working through its construction schedule.
"No date has been set just yet, but it is of utmost importance for the township to complete the project, and also for the contractor," Hickman said.
Hickman said the project's portion at the corner of state Route 304 and 193 had to be redesigned because representatives with the Ohio Department of Transportation expressed concerns that the sidewalk, initially planned to go behind metal poles, would create a "pinch point" for pedestrians next to a retaining wall.
Hickman said road officials had to submit a new detailed plan and permit to ODOT, adding that the documents were approved approximately two weeks ago. Hickman said construction should take "no more than two weeks" to complete, upon contractors returning to the site.
"Knowing Faust Construction, it'll probably be less than that," Hickman said.
Hickman said delays during that time will be expected, as the construction needs to be reestablished to its original state, with rebar and dirt.
Regarding what's next for the project, which is only one phase of the Belmont Avenue sidewalks project, Hickman said phase three, running from Liberty Street/Jones Road to state Route 304, is undergoing preliminary design by the Environmental Design Group.
"It's going to include a midblock crossing with a pedestrian traffic light at or near Perni Lane or Churchill Park entrance," Hickman said. "It'll also be adding three bus stops and looking at access management of businesses, along with updates to crosswalks at 304, the new light they're putting in and also the traffic light and crosswalk at Liberty Street/Jones Road."
The project is costing approximately $200,000 for design and is anticipated to cost $800,000 in construction, according to Hickman.