Construction set to begin on I-75-FHS trail

FINDLAY — Work to build the new Interstate 75 and Findlay High School multi-use trail is set to begin. The path will begin at the back drive of the Walmart Supercenter, 1161 W. Trenton Ave., which connects to Howard Street, and will extend to the east utilizing an old railroad bed. At Howard Street, the path will be on the north side of the roadway until it reaches Broad Avenue. At Broad Avenue, the path will extend towards the Foulke Avenue intersection on the west side of the street. Once complete, it is meant to provide a safe connection to the Greenway Trail, the University of Findlay, downtown Findlay, and to the existing bike lanes throughout the city for pedestrians and cyclists. Legislation to appropriate funds for the $1.25 million project was introduced to Findlay City Council on Tuesday, during regular session. Council waived its three-reading rule and rushed through the legislation to meet funding deadlines set by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Findlay is expected to receive about $1 million from the ODOT's alternative transportation grant fund, which will pay 95% of the construction cost and engineering fees. . Council's rules require legislation to be read publicly at three, separate council meetings, unless waived by a supermajority vote. The vote to suspend the rules was 10-0. The vote to approve the ordinance was also unanimous. The contract will go to the Great Lakes Demolition Company, Clyde, with a bid of $1,075,057. Bids were opened on Aug. 14. There were five bidders. The legislation also appropriated $65,000 from the city's capital improvement fund to cover the required 5% local match and project contingencies. A total of $135,000 was appropriated by council for project engineering fees in fiscal year 2022. An additional $40,000 was then approved to pay for state-mandated right-of-way plans in October 2023.