Each ward in Mansfield getting at least 2 miles repaved

MANSFIELD – Orange barrels will be popping up on streets in every ward in the city throughout summer — as well as on portions of state highway running through Mansfield — under the city's 2015 street paving program.

At least 2 miles will be repaved in every ward, funded through the "pothole tax" voters have supported throughout the past couple of decades.

Ward 4, on the Mansfield's northwest side, will have the longest stretch repaved this year, with 3.08 miles of local streets or alleys resurfaced.

Ward 1 residents will see 2.98 miles repaved, with another 2.86 miles in Ward 2, 2.08 miles in Ward 3, 2.74 miles in Ward 5, and 2.32 miles in Ward 6.

Beyond those city-funded projects, $4.5 million worth of improvements to state routes will take place, with the Ohio Department of Transportation providing the majority of funds but the city providing a $1.8 million share, Mayor Tim Theaker said.

The largest state-subsidized project will involve repaving to a major stretch of Park Avenue, from Home Road "all the way to the subway (railroad overpass on Park Avenue East)," the mayor said.

Portions of Ohio 39 and Ohio 545 inside city limits, on the north side of the city, also are being repaved this summer with help from the state. A stretch of Ohio 13 on the south side, also is on the improvements list.

City officials had hoped the state would fund a major project in 2015 to deal widen portions of South Trimble Road to accommodate increased traffic. Four lanes would be widened in some areas, with a fifth lane to facilitate turning.

"But there was another project in the ODOT region that money went toward. Somebody needed that money," Theaker said.

The city recently announced that Ohio 545 (Wayne Street) between Orange and Fifth Streets would be closed for bridge repairs, starting Monday, remaining closed for 30 days.

Motorists will be directed to take a different route. The posted detour will be Fifth Street to Newman Street, and Orange Street to Wayne Street.

lmartz@gannett.com

419-521-7229

Twitter: @MNJmartz