AEP digging in, again, on Lane Avenue

ThisWeek UA 4/7/11

http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/upperarlington/stories/2011/04/06/aep-digging-in-again-on-lane-avenue.html?sid=104

After a two-month delay, American Electric Power is ready to resume trenching and cabling work on Lane Avenue.

Work currently is wrapping up on Kenny Road and will head west on Lane Avenue beginning this week.

In a public forum last Wednesday, March 30, city engineer Tom Komlanc and AEP construction manager Eric Leu laid out the new traffic plan and construction timeline for completing the work, which includes trenching streets between the Ohio State University and AEP’s Roberts Road substation, laying conduit for new electrical transmission lines and installation of conduit for future a future fiber-optic cable installation by the city.

The final piece of the project, resurfacing Lane Avenue, will occur in spring 2012, Komlanc said.

According to AEP, the project was originally halted in January due to safety concerns for workers and motorists after workers reported several close calls with speeding vehicles. Trenching and cabling work was shifted to the OSU area, while new plans were developed to mitigate the safety concerns.

The original plan maintained two-way traffic the length of Lane Avenue for the duration of the project.

According to Leu, the new plan will maintain two-way traffic throughout the business district portion of Lane Avenue between North Star Road and Northwest Boulevard, but will restrict traffic to a single westbound lane in the residential area between Northwest Boulevard and Leeds Road.

The short stretch of Lane Avenue between Leeds Road and Riverside Drive will be completely closed when work reaches that area; currently AEP has this closure scheduled for Aug. 11, Leu said.

The construction will occur in sections, referred to as “zones C – F,” with three phases of work occurring within each zone – trenching and laying conduit, pulling cables and making the cable connections.

The current timeline is:

Zone F – Kenny Road to North Star Road: April 4 – May 13

Zone E – North Star Road to Andover Road: May 2 – June 10

Zone D – Andover Road to Tremont Road: June 20 – July 22

Zone C – Tremont Road to Riverside Drive: July 25 – Sept. 2

AEP officials have stated that during construction, the north-south cross streets will be closed for periods of up to 24 hours with appropriate detours setup to reroute traffic. An attempt will be made to maintain two-way traffic on Northwest Boulevard throughout, but rerouting has been planned in case crews need to trench through the intersection.

Following last Wednesday’s presentation, residents asked about closures and traffic issues during the annual Fourth of July parade and events.

Emma Speight, deputy city manager for community affairs, said the city and AEP are working to make certain they are completed with work through Northwest Boulevard – the parade route – ahead of the event.

“I am working with the [Upper Arlington Community Association] on the event, and we’ll take a look at shuttle options to help alleviate parking issues,” Speight said.

Leu also responded to residents concerns that speeding traffic would continue to be a problem.

“By reducing the number of lanes open, we are reducing the amount of traffic traveling on the road,” Leu said. “The city said they would provide more police presence, as well, to be a visual reminder to motorists.”

During the first days of construction in each zone, AEP and the city will evaluate traffic and make adjustments as necessary, according to Komlanc.

Speight said that the city would continue to reach out to the media to provide residents with up-to-date information about the progress of the work; residents can also find information on the city website, www.uaoh.net and at www.pavingtheway.org.