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Delaware County TID approves $750,000 grant to Orange Township, OKs construction contract and hears multiple project updates
Summary
At its meeting, the Delaware County Transportation Improvement District received staff updates on several road and grade-separation projects, learned of lower-than-expected construction bids that could free funding for later phases, approved a $750,000 grant to Orange Township and voted to approve construction contract 202503.
The Delaware County Transportation Improvement District voted to approve a $750,000 project grant to Orange Township and to authorize contract 202503 after staff reported several projects had come in with bids below engineer estimates, potentially freeing funds for later phases.
The actions took place during the district's regular meeting where Rob Reiland, chief deputy engineer in Delaware County, told the board that recent low bids on major projects produced unexpectedly favorable cost outcomes. "The low bidder for Phase A was Miller Brothers Construction. Their bid came in 25% under the engineer's estimate, just over about $31,900,000," Reiland said. Cy Kiely, treasurer from the Auditor's Office, reported the TID's current cash balance as "$3,606,273.31."
Why it matters: lower bids on early phases can free previously committed funds so later phases can move forward sooner, and the TID's decision to front engineering and contract responsibilities can simplify administration for multiple townships that partner on projects.
Most important details: Reiland reported progress on the Silicon Heartland County Line Road roundabout work and said offers to affected property owners are ongoing, with a project agreement expected for the board's consideration in July or August. He also said Phase A construction will start this summer and staff are working with ODOT District 6 and funding partners to shift track funding to future phases.
On the Orange Road grade separation project, Reiland said the TID has secured $5,000,000 in state funding and an additional $8,300,000 through a source referenced in the meeting as "Morpsey." He reported the project is delayed by outstanding railroad comments, and said, "We've been waiting, almost a year on comments regarding the profile grade of the track we need to raise slightly." The board recorded frustration about that delay in public remarks.
The board also heard that Bail Canyon Road Phase 2 received a low bid from George Igel Company of about $3,070,000, roughly 23% under the engineer's estimate, which Reiland said will be welcome news to Orange Township officials. A separate Stockwell Road improvement was described as a four-township effort to reduce a steep hill and extend resurfacing to improve sight distance near Big Walnut Creek; staff plan to apply for Ohio Public Works funding for that work.
Formal actions recorded: the board moved and seconded approval of a project agreement that includes a $750,000 TID grant to Orange Township; the motion carried. Later the board voted to approve contract 202503 (recorded as "contract 202503" in the agenda materials); the motion carried. The meeting script showed unanimous voice votes on those motions.
Board members and staff emphasized the administrative advantages of the TID handling construction contracts on multi-township projects, including faster response to change orders and simplified cash-flow management. As one board member put it, TID contracting "greatly, greatly simplifies the process" compared with each township managing contracts separately.
Looking ahead, staff said right-of-way acquisitions for upcoming phases will continue through the summer, Phase B right-of-way offers are expected late this year, and construction for later phases is targeted for 2026 and beyond. The board noted the June meeting would likely be canceled and agreed to reconvene on July 9.
