More than $8M in regional infrastructure projects approved

COLUMBUS — Allen, Auglaize and Putnam counties will receive more than $7.5 million collectively as their share in more than $328 million in infrastructure funding statewide. That figure eclipses $8.5 million when Mercer and Van Wert counties are factored in.

The Ohio Public Works Commission earlier this week released project agreements for the most recent round of annual infrastructure funding. In total, 564 projects were awarded to communities in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Projects approved in Allen County include $4.5 million for various paving, resurfacing and sewer improvement projects and the construction of a roundabout in the village of Bluffton. Topping the list is $1.2 million for improvements to Napoleon Road in the village of Harrod.

In Putnam County, slightly more than $1.3 million was awarded for street improvements and paving projects. Auglaize County will receive more than $1.5 million for similar work. Van Wert County was awarded $450,000 for resurfacing Lincoln Highway and Dixon-Cavett Road. The city of Celina received $504,000 for improvements to Mill Street, while Mercer County was awarded $221,000 for various county road improvements.

Local government projects are selected by the state’s 19 district integrating committees based on a variety of factors, including health and safety, age and condition and number of users.

“We are pleased to announce another round of grants and loans awarded to Ohio’s local governments for needed infrastructure,” said Linda Bailiff, director of the Ohio Public Works Commission.

Following is a list of approved projects in the three-county area:

ALLEN COUNTY

• Main Street Harrod Bridge, $99,718

• County/township road resurfacing (Old Delphos, Swaney, Hill), $1,014,251

• Slabtown-Bluelick roads low-pressure sewer improvements, $195,000

City of Delphos

• Carolyn Drive resurfacing, $125,000

City of Lima

• Catalpa and Holmes Avenue reconstruction, $357,157

• City street resurfacing (Robb, Tremont, East Murphy and others), $357,157

Village of Bluffton

• Pocono Drive utility improvement, $240,000

• State Route 103/Navajo Drive roundabout, $800,000

Village of Harrod

• Napoleon Road improvements, $1.2 million

Village of Spencerville

• West Elm Street culvert replacement, $200,000.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Road M, widening and paving, $99,647

Blanchard Township

• Township road paving, $199,294

Monroe Township

• Road 23 reconstruction, $249,900

Village of Cloverdale

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th streets, Railroad and Plank street improvements, $85,000

Village of Continental

• Lakeland Estates street and storm reconstruction, $420,000

Village of Dupont

• South Street improvements, $70,000

Village of Fort Jennings

• Railroad, Maple Lane, South Maple, High and Third street improvements, $75,000

Village of Ottawa

• Agner Street improvements, $120,000

AUGLAIZE COUNTY

• County Road resurfacing (Wapakoneta, Kettlersville, Infirmary and others), $810,000

• Sherwood Forest lift station and force main, $46,500

Village of New Bremen

• Park, Vine and Walnut street improvements, $480,000

Village of New Knoxville

• West Bremen, West German and West street resurfacing, $232,453