Erie County under contract to resurface Perkins Avenue

PERKINS TWP. — Securing a state grant allows Erie County officials to pursue a major road resurfacing project next month.Officials recently learned they obtained $175,000 in state funds to help offset an estimated $647,000 contracted expense for smoothing out only the southern half of Perkins Avenue, or eastbound lanes, between the former YMCA and 52nd Street near Kroger.Why not the northern portion serving westbound traffic? Well, Sandusky technically oversees this portion, and, according to county engineer Jack Farschman, the city couldn't financially commit money to this project in 2019.Work should start Aug. 19 and end by Sept. 27. At least one lane in either direction should remain open at all times throughout the project's duration.Farschman spoke about the grant's vital nature."Without this additional revenue, we would have to curtail work on some other project by setting something (else) back until next year," Farschman said. "We scratch for whatever we can to do as much as possible within our revenue stream each year at the least cost to our taxpayers. So, whatever we can get in the form of a grant, no matter the amount, we'll apply for it as a matter of doing business."Making sense of the dollars and centsResurfacing the southern portion of Perkins Avenue between the former YMCA and 52nd Street totals $647,000, broken down with:• $472,000: money coming from Erie County• $175,000: money coming from a state grantSource: Erie County engineer's officeReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Erie County officials are getting ready to bid out work so a construction company can resurface the southern half of Perkins Avenue, or the eastbound lanes, between the former YMCA and 52nd Street near Kroger.