ODOT testing shows need for repairs on three Center Ridge Road intersections

NORTH RIDGEVILLE — After a brief respite from the presence of construction crews and equipment, Center Ridge Road will once again see activity for a couple of days next week. City officials learned Monday that repairs are needed to three intersections along the widening project, which was substantially finished in recent months. Mayor Kevin Corcoran said the Ohio Department of Transportation conducted testing and determined repairs were needed at Center Ridge Road's intersections with state Route 83, Ranger Way and Stoney Ridge Road. Corcoran and Safety Service Director Jeff Armbruster both said the problem involved the mix used by the paving subcontractor Shelly Co. Armbruster said the asphalt mix maybe "didn't meet the strict quality that ODOT was looking for." It is believed the milling and refilling work can be completed over two days, currently scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 9 and 10. "They're going to supposedly mill it and fill it back in on the 9th, and then come back and do the striping on the 10th," Corcoran said. The city is not responsible for paying for the repairs. ODOT also has future plans to repave the parts of Center Ridge Road in North Ridgeville not included in the widening project. The work would be completed by ODOT's contractor, and Corcoran said the city does not get to choose which contractor would complete the work. City Council President Martin DeVries said the repaving is not part of the widening project, "but in addition to." Legislation introduced to Council — which would support the proposal and agree to cooperate with ODOT — stated that work is tentatively scheduled to begin in August 2022. If the repaving goes forward, North Ridgeville would be responsible for 20 percent of roadway construction and roadway engineering costs and ODOT would cover the other 80 percent. ODOT would be responsible for all preliminary engineering, environmental studies and bridge-related costs, while the city would pay other costs like pavement repair, curbs, sidewalks and more. The city's expenses are initially estimated to be about $471,000 for construction costs and about $38,000 for construction engineering. Corcoran said the repaving project would be similar to work that was completed on state Route 83 last summer. That work was completed relatively quickly, as opposed to the widening project that was plagued with delays. Contact the reporter Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.