Road work forces partial closure

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION TWP. — Last week, a several-month-long closure of Cherry Road between Darrow and East Mason roads went into effect for most traffic. The road shouldn't reopen to through traffic until mid-April, according to the Erie County engineer's office. Certain vehicles, however, can still access this portion. Eric Dodrill, the county's engineer, offered some insight into this project: • What/Where: "Approximately 1,550 feet of an existing 6-inch storm sewer will be replaced with a 15-inch storm sewer, including several catch basins, along the east side of a portion of Cherry Road immediately north of Mason Road in Vermilion Township." • Why: "Residents on the east side of Cherry Road have experienced ongoing drainage issues on their properties. The existing storm sewer does not have sufficient capacity to provide adequate drainage for the roadway and the residential properties. The storm sewer upgrade will provide increased drainage capacity to help alleviate the issues these properties currently experience." • Cost: Ed Burdue & Co. is the project contractor, submitting the lowest bid received at about $223,500. Funds from Vermilion Township's budget will cover project expenses. • Traffic impact: "This will be an active work zone, and through traffic using Cherry Road may experience delays. 'No through traffic' signs will be utilized to inform and discourage through traffic from using this section of Cherry Road during construction, however, Cherry Road is expected to remain open for local traffic and official vehicles — emergency vehicles, school buses, mail delivery, etc. — throughout the construction period. Through traffic should follow the local detour route of Mason Road to Cemetery Road to Darrow Road" and reverse course in the opposite direction."