TRAIL … This portion of the Wabash Cannonball Trail in Wauseon is slated to receive a new signal beacon for pedestrians. The beacon will be activated when a pedestrian needs to cross the busy Shoop Avenue. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Construction efforts will soon begin on a new pedestrian crossing in Wauseon. The new signal beacon will be placed at the crossing near the area of Don’s Automotive Group and Dollar General on Shoop Avenue.
The new beacon has been funded through a 95/5% Safe Communities grant through ODOT. The construction estimate for the project was set at $110,270.63. With the 5% match needed for the grant putting the city’s cost at right around $5,500. The ODOT grant will fund the rest.
The beacon will look much like the one currently in place in downtown Delta near the Delta Public Library. The signal sits and waits for a pedestrian to come to the crossing and activate the signal. Once activated, lights will flash and signal vehicles to stop.
According to Public Service Director Keith Torbet, construction efforts will be completed by US Utilities. Preliminary construction will start the week of June 15th with the reconstruction of curb ramps for the sidewalk approaches. Base pads for the lights will also be installed.
From there, construction will be halted due to the beacon arms and beacons themselves being on backorder. These may not be received until sometime this fall but could come in earlier.
The reason construction will start and then stop is due to the grant requirements. Construction needs to be completed by the end of October.
Ensuring everything is ready for installation when it arrives, will help to make sure construction is complete by the deadline.
In any case, even if the items arrive early, everything will be in place for a speedy installation, which will help to make the Wabash Cannonball Trail a safer place for pedestrians.