Council hears first reading of SR‑37 widening and pedestrian bridge design proposal; safety RCUT installed at Africa Road

Sunbury — On Sept. 17 the City Council heard a first reading of a resolution to accept a proposal from American Structure Point Inc. for preliminary design services for a State Route 37 widening project and a pedestrian bridge, and staff reported a related safety change already installed at Africa Road.

City staff said the resolution under consideration covers preliminary design services; it was presented as a first reading only and no vote on the design contract was taken. The Municipal Engineer described the project scope as including the SR‑37 roadway widening and a pedestrian bridge and noted the proposal presented was for the longer-term, premium option; staff emphasized that the resolution at council was a reading and not an executed contract.

Separately, the city engineer reported that a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) island has been installed on State Route 37 at Africa Road to reduce conflict points, consistent with a safety study and as a requirement tied to DRK development. Staff explained the RCUT changes mean drivers exiting Africa Road can only turn right onto SR‑37 and must make a U-turn where provided to go westbound; westbound drivers will still be able to shift lanes and turn left onto Africa Road.

Nut graf: The council’s packet included a first reading of a design-services proposal for a major roadway and pedestrian project; staff also confirmed a near-term safety change (the RCUT at Africa Road) has been implemented as part of ongoing road-safety work in the SR‑37 corridor.

Council did not vote on the American Structure Point design proposal at the meeting; the engineer said the RCUT island has been placed and that further striping, bollards and U-turn delineations remain to be installed. Staff also noted decorative lighting for other local projects (like the Columbus Street parking lot) may be delayed until after the New Year.

Ending: The SR‑37 preliminary-design resolution will return for further readings and potential vote at a later meeting; the RCUT installation is active and motorists are advised to follow the new traffic patterns.