FR's new traffic signal is nearly complete

Fort Recovery’s new traffic signal should be functioning soon.

Other road work is also slated for later this month.

Fort Recovery Village Council approved a $258,339.37 pay request Monday for installation of the traffic signal at the intersection of Elm and Butler streets. It also heard efforts to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Center and Elm streets could be completed by the end of August.

Fort Recovery officials have been working for months toward installing a traffic signal at the intersection of both Elm and Butler streets — Ohio 49 and Ohio 119, respectively. Mercer County Commissioners awarded $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the village in February for the project.

Choice One Engineering completed preliminary designs for installation of the signal, and Capital Electric Line Builders completed pole foundations and pedestal foundations, and installed an underground conduit at the intersection earlier this year. Concrete work started in late July, and striping and signage work is scheduled for this week. 

Traffic signal lights will run on a four-way flashing cycle for seven days once activated, per Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requirements. There will also be warning signs up letting drivers know about the new signal ahead. After the seven days, the lights will run on a normal two-way cycle.

ODOT will be in the village this week completing additional patch work while paving Ohio 119 (Boundary and Butler streets) and Ohio 49 (Broadway and Elm streets) through village limits. The village approved a $36,530 contract in May with Ohio Department of Transportation for the work.

Council also approved a resolution Monday declaring it necessary to improve sidewalks and curbs and approved assessments for reconstruction of Butler Street between Fort Site and Main streets. Ohio Public Works Commission awarded the village $499,000 through the Small Government Program grant in May for the project. Now estimated at $1.6 million, it includes new and upgraded curbs and sidewalks, replacing the water main, new service taps at adjoining properties, including a tap for fire protection at Fort Recovery Morvilius Opera House, and a new traffic signal, pedestrian crossing equipment and fixtures at the intersection of Butler and Wayne streets.

Fort Recovery village administrator Randy Diller, who was absent from the meeting Monday, received the final design for the project Friday. Plans are to begin accepting bids in mid August, with completion set for July 2025.

Also Monday, village council members Al Post, Cliff Wendel, Scott Pearson, Greg Schmitz and Luke Knapke, absent Erik Fiely:

•Approved an ordinance levying assessments for construction of sidewalks and curbs along Gwendolyn and Wiggs streets, a part of the reconstruction project completed recently along Gwendolyn Street between Milligan and Wiggs streets and Wiggs Street between Gwendolyn and Wayne streets. Levied assessments will be added to the adjoining property owners’ real estate taxes, resulting in a one-time 6% fee billed to the taxpayer over a five-year period at 0% interest.

•Established funds for state grant dollars going toward constructing a second water tower in the village. Fort Recovery received a $1.25 million grant in June 2023 from the Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure program. In June of this year, the village also received a $600,000 allocation for the project from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, which is a part of the main Ohio capital budget.