GETTING THE UPDATE — On Monday, Toronto Council members received updates on two major infrastructure projects and efforts to get the city’s swimming pool ready for the summer. – Warren Scott
TORONTO – On Monday, Toronto Council members received updates on replacing a bridge at the north end of Toronto, extending water and sewer lines at the city’s south end and preparing the swimming pool for the summer season.
Council President Frank McEwen said he learned at a recent meeting ahead of the construction of the Alexander Street Bridge project that work on the short span is expected to start around June 5, although it’s likely this will mainly involve preparation.
The two-lane bridge, which crosses the Norfolk-Southern Railroad at the north end of town, is part of the Robert Urich Interchange, which connects State Route 7 and North Fourth Street.
It is named for the street that existed before the newer section of the highway and the ramp at the north end were built.
Work is expected to include repairs to the bridge deck and the construction of new approach plates, back walls and expansion joints.
Railings along the span are also to be replaced.
McEwen said plans call for one lane to remain open during the project, but concerns about span abutment plates could change that.
The $1 million project will receive $837,489 in state funding, with the city providing the remainder.
McEwen added that work to extend the water and sewer lines from Nebo Drive to Titanium Way will begin in the near future.
The project is funded with a $1.8 million 30-year loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority and includes approximately 1,600 feet of aqueduct, 7,500 feet of sewer and 1,700 feet of backwater.
The expansions will serve a handful of homes at the end of Titanium Way that are currently being served by wells and septic tanks.
However, the work is part of a larger project which includes the construction of a 800m road from Nebo Drive to the homes to allow the remainder of the Titanium Way to be used exclusively by the TIMET facility.
TIMET officials are in the process of expanding their titanium production from their current 25 acre property to an adjacent 14.8 acres.
Pusateri Excavating of East Liverpool is the contractor for the water and sewage project designed by Thrasher Engineering.
McEwen said Thrasher is working with Mayor John Parker to raise funds for the new street.
The council also learned of the efforts to prepare the city swimming pool for the summer from council members serving on the recreation committee and from city clerk Linda Burkey, who also serves as assistant director of city services.
Burkey said the pool was pressure washed and chemicals ordered for it, while city crews and volunteers cut and cleaned the grounds and facilities, with a volunteer offering to paint areas of the concession stand.
She said the lifeguard chairs needed repairs and efforts were being made to fix it.
Councilman Larry Glenn said repairs for showers in the men’s and women’s locker rooms have been completed, which has raised concerns about the pool opening for Memorial Day weekend.
He added that the leisure department has also received 20 applications for summer jobs, easing concerns about a shortage of seasonal workers.
Burkey said the pool and its paddling pool are expected to open as planned for the bank holiday weekend, with hours of operation being 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. adults-only and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
She noted that the pool may close at 6 p.m. for private pool parties, and those interested in booking such a party through the pool or its shelter should call (740) 537-3611.
In other stores, advice:
— Approved the city’s annual agreement calling for the county’s engineering firm to polish and seal damaged roads. McEwen said council members were asked to suggest roads to the mayor that needed repairs.
He confirmed that city officials had postponed the paving, but as the city’s financial constraints have improved, this is under re-examination.
— Supported a resolution honoring the late John Skrabak, who served as city council director from 2002 to 2010.
Skrabak served aboard a US Navy destroyer during World War II, was a supervisor at Weirton Steel, and built his own home in 1953. According to his family, he hoped to live to be 100 but missed it by 6 months when he died on April 30 at the age of 99.
Councilor Ron Holmes said of Skrabak: “He was very committed to the city of Toronto. He was out at 2 a.m. for broken water pipes and everything else.”
“He really loved the city of Toronto. He will be missed by many people.” said Holmes.
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