Worthington council approves street and sidewalk program, funds bicycle and pedestrian projects; selects pool construction team

Worthington City Council on March 17 approved the 2025 street and sidewalk maintenance program and amended the award to name Strauser Paving as the contractor, and approved capital funding for five bicycle and pedestrian projects after a presentation from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.

The street and sidewalk maintenance ordinance (Ordinance No. 8-2025, as amended) passed on a roll-call vote. Staff recommended awarding the base contract and all four bid alternates to Strauser Paving after four companies bid the project and the low bids came in well under the city’s estimates. "Strauser Paving... was the low bidder on the project, and we are recommending that the ordinance be amended to insert them to be awarded this project," City staff said. Staff said Strauser’s pending startup of an asphalt manufacturing plant in April will lower their costs and allowed the city to add all four alternates while staying within budget.

Council also approved Ordinance No. 9-2025 to appropriate capital funds for bicycle and pedestrian improvements tied to priorities from the board’s master plan. Rebecca Green, representing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, outlined recent and planned work, including pedestrian rapid‑flash beacons at neighborhood park crossings, a sidewalk gaps pilot that has been folded into the annual street program, a bicycle boulevard pilot in Colonial Hills and plans to adapt the boulevard language based on resident feedback.

Green summarized the board’s purpose: "Our mission statement is to connect the community by advocating for enhanced mobility for all citizens and visitors on bike and foot," and highlighted recent installations, feasibility studies (including…