Journal-News.com

The $1.04 million reconstruction of Miller Road near Lebanon Junior High will begin in April, but will not close the street.

The project calls for a reconstruction of Miller Road between the western property line of Miller Park and Katherine Avenue. The road will be widened on its south side to match the wider pavement width of other parts of the road. Of the $1,044,854 total cost, $400,000 will be off-set from a grant by the Ohio Public Works Commission, according to Deputy City Manager Scott Brunka.

City Engineer Darren Owens said the reconstruction will provide a consistent pavement width as well as sidewalks on both sides of the street between Rosemarie Drive and Crossings Drive.

Brunka said the sidewalks will be double the standard width to accommodate a proposed future bike path. While no plans for a bike path are set, such a path was suggested in the city's parks master plan. Brunka said city planners decided to incorporate this possibility into the construction.

Traffic will be maintained for the duration of the construction, which is scheduled to begin in early April and be completed by the end of August, according to Brunka.

After city council approved the project Tuesday, March 24, Mayor Amy Brewer spoke about the city's ailing road repair fund.

"The cost to fix one road is $1 million," Brewer said. "As we are taking a look at all of Lebanon's streets, the cost to fix them is very expensive. It's money we need and do not have."

City staff has estimated the fund to be underfunded by at least $600,000 annually.

Projections of a deficit in the city's general fund by 2012 are expected to lead to even further deterioration of the roads as planned reconstruction and repaving projects are postponed indefinitely.

City council has already approved several road projects for this summer. A $1.2 million, 18-month replacement of sidewalks and storm sewers along Broadway and Mulberry began last month. The city recently approved the replacement of water mains along DeSales and Deerfield avenues near the Countryside YMCA. According to city officials, plans are still in the works for a reconstruction project on Burt Road for later this year.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.