Roundabout construction delayed again due to utility relocation issues

LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio (WTVG) - Roundabout construction at the intersection of Monclova and Albon roads has been pushed back again, now scheduled for June 22. The project is set to be completed in 45 days.

The project was originally supposed to start at the beginning of April. Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said Toledo Edison has not moved its utilities in a timely manner.

Pniewski said the issue with Toledo Edison has caused financial harm to the county and its contractor due to delay claims and extended general condition costs.

“We informed them last year that we needed them to move them by the beginning of April and it’s extremely frustrating to our agency and I think the public at large that as a result of that now several construction projects are going to be significantly delayed,” Pniewski said.

Second roundabout project also delayed

One of those delayed projects is another pending roundabout at Monclova and Waterville Monclova roads, located near Monclova Primary School. Because of the delays, that construction will likely span into the school year, impacting travel.

“If it continues to delay the taxpayers of Lucas County could be held responsible for damages and delay claims as a result of their actions and I don’t feel the people of Lucas County should have to pay as a result of the utilities failure to act,” Pniewski said.

Pniewski has filed two complaints to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, asking for a formal inquiry into Toledo Edison’s failure to relocate in connection to the project. The complaints direct Edison to provide a binding schedule to the engineer’s office for utility relocation, show cause for the delays, and take additional action to address any additional financial harm to the county.

Toledo Edison responds

Toledo Edison provided a statement addressing the delays:

“We are working closely with the Lucas County Engineer’s Office to move this project forward,” the statement said. “Right now, the two poles cannot be removed because they still carry equipment by a telecommunications company. When that happens, we notify the company so they can transfer their equipment before the poles can be safely removed. That coordination can take time, but the engineer’s office is also working directly with them to relocate their equipment so we can remove the poles as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Pniewski said conversations have taken place to make sure that this does not happen again, and that change is needed.

“We have had some fruitful conversations with Toledo Edison and I believe we have a path forward to try and prevent these types of issues from happening again but it doesn’t help us now,” Pniewski said. “We need their help to allocate the resources necessary to avoid impacts both financial and otherwise to the citizens of Lucas County.”

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