The Sandusky City Commission on Aug. 25 approved a resolution to proceed with the Cleveland Road safety improvement project, PID 114056, and also approved a license agreement allowing relocation of a billboard structure tied to the project.
The project resolution directs the city manager to advertise for and receive bids; the ordinance for the billboard encroachment authorizes the city to accept the billboard structure and related license agreements.
City staff member Klein told commissioners the city expects to award the contract “in October, November at the absolute latest” and emphasized that, contrary to circulating rumors, “we will not be closing that intersection entirely.” Klein added the city will include contract language requiring contractors to finish discrete pieces of work promptly and limit idle time: if a contractor “tear[s] something up” they must finish or return quickly, and the city plans to require a timeline so heavy-travel work is finished before the busiest season.
The commission adopted the resolution under the suspension rules cited in Section 14 of the city charter. Commissioners moved and seconded the measure and the roll call reflected unanimous support.
Why it matters: the Cleveland Road corridor handles heavy seasonal traffic for nearby attractions; the city is adding signal and turn-lane work and making drainage and sidewalk improvements that staff said have long lead times for signal hardware. Klein told the commission the city will try to complete intersection work before the May high-season and include contract milestones to reduce prolonged disruption.
Supporting details: staff said signal poles and certain materials have “very long lead time,” which shaped the project schedule; the city will hold a preconstruction meeting with the awarded contractor and then publish a more detailed timeline for affected property owners.
What’s next: advertising and bidding are the immediate steps; staff indicated the city hopes an aggressive contractor will mobilize quickly after award. The license agreement allowing relocation of a billboard is the last property acquisition step identified by staff for the Cleveland Road scope.