Marion County Highway Engineer Mike McCormick says a successful bid has been awarded for safety improvements the entire length of the Green Street Road and a portion of the Odin Road north of Green Street.
McCormick told the county board Tuesday night Guinzy Construction of Ashley has been awarded the bid at a cost of $3.4-million. That’s $600,000 under the engineers estimate. McCormick says that’s good news for the county board as they were going to have to pay any of the cost over $3.3-million. As a result, the county’s share will likely drop from $700,000 to just $100,000.
McCormick isn’t sure when Guinzy will begin work, but he’s hoping the entire project can be completed this year.
The safety improvement grant will allow for shoulders to be widened on the curves of Green Street Road, installation of additional guardrail and signage as well as rumble strips on the shoulder and centerline. There will also be some drainage improvements.
On the Odin Road, the bridge north of Green Street Road will be widened and the curve leading to the bridge corrected so if you are going too fast entering the bridge you can still get over safely.
McCormick hopes the work will reduce the number of accidents on the two roads.
Meanwhile, McCormick says a bid opening on the replacement of the Kline Road Bridge that has been closed has been delayed as the highway department continues to get needed easements. He’s hopeful for a bid letting in the near future.
