Vermilion's 2 busiest roads undergoing transformation

VERMILION — Starting next week and spanning through mid-2022, one major road project requires significant work on Vermilion's two busiest roadways. Before resurfacing tasks begin on Liberty Avenue (U.S. 6) and Ohio 60 crisscrossing through the city, Kaitlyn Thompson, a spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Transportation, answered some pressing questions: • The timeline: "Next week, the contractor will start milling and pavement repairs throughout the project. Estimated completion: May 2022." • The locations: Road work will occur on: — "U.S. 6 from the western Vermilion corporation limits to the Lorain County line." — Ohio "60 from the southern Vermilion corporation limits to U.S. 6." • The traffic impact: "Lane closures will be in place on U.S. 6 with one lane of traffic maintained in each direction. Traffic will be maintained by flaggers on Ohio 60." • The tasks: "The project was scoped and programmed as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's regular resurfacing program that addresses pavement deterioration from weather and vehicle use. The work will include pavement planing, pavement repairs, asphalt surface course, pavement markings and upgrades to curb ramps throughout the project." • The festival situation: "The resurfacing work on U.S. 6 and Ohio 60 will be completed prior to the Woollybear Festival (scheduled for Oct. 10)." • The bridge bolstering: From Oct. 11 to Nov. 26, the state transportation department will close the Liberty Avenue bridge near Quaker Steak & Lube for the replacement of expansion joints. "The bridge will be open to pedestrian traffic," Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer said. "No, we are not raising the bridge for boaters." • The cost: The contractor is Kokosing Construction Co., and the project's sale amount totals $1.06 million.