ThisWeek UA 06/30/2011
After a second work stoppage along Lane Avenue, American Electric Power has resumed installation of underground electrical transmission lines.
On June 9, AEP halted work once again after workers encountered a greater number of buried utilities than was previously expected. Additional space was needed to tunnel around the active utilities.
The city of Upper Arlington, according to a press release, developed a plan with AEP to provide greater police presence to assist with traffic and mitigate concerns about motorist and worker safety while working around the buried utilities and transporting large cable reels to the jobsite.
AEP will transport these cable reels via Zollinger Road, turning south on North Star Road. At this time the company doesn’t believe deliveries will require an on-street parking restriction due to the width of the delivery trucks, but that remains an option.
The most recent work stoppage, along with a previous work stoppage in January and weather-related slowdowns, has put the project four weeks behind schedule, according to the press release.
Concerns about the city’s Fourth of July celebrations and parade disruptions are being directed to Emma Speight (583-5045), deputy city manager for community affairs.
“We have assurances from AEP that the project will be shut down prior to the Fourth – and they are looking good for completing the section east of Northwest Boulevard prior to the Fourth weekend,” Speight said, noting the plan to halt work July 1.
“AEP said they will try to get all of their equipment in one area and bring the traffic cones down to a minimum. All of the entrances to the Shops on Lane Avenue should be clear and open by then, so we will celebrate the Fourth as usual.”
Speight said the city has expressed the importance of this holiday and celebration very clearly to AEP, and both parties will do what is necessary to allow the weekend to flow smoothly for residents and out-of-town guests.
AEP will resume work on Tuesday, July 5 and, according to Speight, will be working in earnest on the residential sections of the project (west of Northwest Boulevard) by July 11.
“Fortunately, as of today, AEP is not finding as many unexpected underground utilities as they were a few weeks ago, so the project is again moving along at a good pace,” Speight said.
Updated work zone maps are pending from AEP as of ThisWeek press time, but will be made available on the city’s website, www.uaoh.net, as soon as AEP completes them.