Solon City Council approves $201,000 change order to accelerate Solon Road reconstruction

The Solon City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to approve change order No. 1 for the Solon Road reconstruction contract (Contract 2018Dot36), adding $201,000 to the contract to fund acceleration measures under the city’s two-lane, one-way maintenance-of-traffic plan. The council approved the change order under emergency procedures to allow construction to start as soon as possible.

The change order bundles several acceleration options — an extra 10‑hour workday, limited Saturday work to meet milestones, nighttime paving and nighttime cement stabilization — that city staff said together total about $201,000. City staff said applying those options in full could shorten the planned 10‑week project to roughly six weeks, weather permitting. Officials also said choosing a two‑way traffic plan instead of the one‑way maintenance plan would increase the schedule by about six weeks and add roughly $1 million in costs, according to city staff comments during the meeting.

The council’s approval revises the contract value to $2,916,775, city staff said. Officials also noted the contractor will be assessed an $18,000 charge for the project’s delayed start.

Local business owners who attended asked the council to limit disruption and protect access. Frank Kaleshi of 32910 Solon Road, speaking for his family and their employees, said the family appreciates the city’s work and asked the council to consider acceleration options and scheduling that reduce business impact. Anthony Varicelli, owner of Finish Line Car Wash, said, “The big thing is I was here to explain how the 1 way traffic is going to be very devastating to my business.” He added that first responders’ safety is his top priority and that, if the accelerated schedule is completed faster, he would support it despite the hardship.

City staff described specific acceleration measures: an additional 10‑hour workday (one extra day per week), optional Saturday work to meet milestones, nighttime paving (generally starting about 7 p.m. and continuing overnight) and nighttime cement stabilization. Staff said night paving would primarily be used in commercial zones and that only one or two residential pours would be candidates for night work; the project includes about six to seven pours in total.

Council discussion emphasized safety, time and cost. Several councilmembers and staff reiterated that safety was the top priority in choosing the two‑lane, one‑way plan. Staff said the contractor on the project is Tri More Construction. The council directed that project contact information be provided to affected businesses and that the city continue efforts to reduce the project’s impact, including working with the neighboring Liberty Ford property to provide alternate access for deliveries and customers.

The motion approved language to prepare legislation that approves change order No. 1 under emergency procedures and to proceed with the two‑lane, one‑way maintenance plan with selected acceleration options. A roll call vote recorded all present councilmembers voting yes; the ordinance and change order were adopted.

City leaders apologized for communication lapses with affected businesses and promised closer coordination during construction. Mayor (name not specified) said, “I take full responsibility for that,” and pledged the city would work to lessen the project’s impact.

The council adjourned after the vote. Additional questions about the project timeline, contact points, and how night work would be coordinated with nearby residents were discussed during the meeting; city staff said they would notify residents in advance if night paving is used in residential areas.