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Cost of Crain Avenue Bridge project may rise Engineer: Price could increase $2.1 million

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February 19, 2009
Crain Ave Bridge opens.
Crain Ave Bridge opens.

By Mike Sever Record-Courier staff writer Portage County Engineer Michael Marozzi warned county commissioners on Tuesday he may need their help covering an unexpected hike in the county's share of costs for the Crain Avenue Bridge project in Kent. Marozzi said a $2.1 million increase in estimated costs by the Ohio Department of Transportation last November bumped the project to $24.97 million to be paid through a mix of federal, state and local money. Kent paid for all property acquisition and will pay for all enhancement costs such as bike paths and traffic calming beyond the bridge. The county and Kent split the preliminary development phase while the city paid for all of the evaluation of additional alternates. The county is paying for the bridge construction, which is about 35 percent of the project. Marozzi said the share to be paid by the county is $2.8 million. "That's a significant problem," Marozzi said. "I will need upwards of $1 million and I don't have it." "I have been putting money aside for four years, anticipating the cost would be about $1 million to $1.5 million. I did not anticipate a cost that high ($2.8 million) and we still do not have ODOT's final costs," he said. The city and county are finalizing a memorandum of understanding on the project's financing. The final dollar amounts won't be known until ODOT gets bids on the 2.5-year project sometime this spring, Marrozzi said. Marozzi laid out four options that would impact the unexpected costs: Federal economic stimulus funds. Marozzi said the bridge project could be a top candidate for infrastructure money aimed at projects that are ready to go. A favorable building climate in which contractors are hungry for work. Marozzi said he's seen recent project in which bids are coming in substantially below engineer's estimates. Get additional grant funds, but would have to push back another project at least a year. Portage County financing the necessary extra funds. " E-mail: msever@recordpub.com Phone: 330 298-1125




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 5 Total Comments
5.
    Posted by DoWhatsRight February 19, 2009
Why should it cost more? With all the jobs lost and everyone looking for work it seems to me that they would be willing to work for a little less. Oh, wait a minute I forgot the cardinal rule of business. When there is government funds involved the price goes up. With the pay back bill out there everyone see dollar signs since the government has deep pockets. Just like the auto industry raise the price and get more regardless of the worth of the item.

4.
    Posted by Floyd G. Orilla February 19, 2009
I've lived in Kent for 33 years. I remember talk of replacing the bridge soon after I moved here. Come on Kent, It's time to stop talking and actually build a bridge.

3.
    Posted by Kentite February 19, 2009
At this point I don't care how much it costs to replace the bridge. The old bridge needs taken down and a new one erected in-line with Fairchild Avenue. And, traffic needs to be restricted from using Crain Avenue as a cut-through to KSU the rest of the east side of town. I do not live in the vicinity; however, while walking with a friend in the area I witnessed too many people driving way in excess of the speed limit. The traffic pattern up and down Crain Avenue has destroyed the whole area. If the city really wanted to clean up the area they would restrict traffic in that area and force people drive through downtown. In doing so the downtown area could potentially see downtown Kent for what it has to offer. As for the naysayers out their, take a drive through downtown Hudson and then come talk to me. Hudson and many other towns have prevented developers from creating the sorts of cut troughs that Kent and other cities have allowed.

2.
    Posted by shooter2181 February 19, 2009
Had it been built when the initial proposal was there is may have cost less overall. Hopefully the city will learn and not let the whining of a few affect progress. That is Kent's main downfall, they may never move beyond their tainted past.

1.
    Posted by Gary February 19, 2009
Yeah, yeah--more excuses--the Crain Ave Bridge will fall in again before it is replaced.

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