Miami County commissioners authorized a notice to proceed on Aug. 6 for Superior Bowen to begin mobilization for a mill-and-overlay project on 220 Third Street, project staff said, with mobilization set for Aug. 11 and construction activities beginning Aug. 18.
Mad Oler, project manager, said crews will set up traffic control the week of Aug. 11 and begin physical work on Aug. 18. "They will begin mobilizing in and setting up traffic control for the project. They don't intend on doing any milling or any construction until the August 18," Oler said.
Why it matters: The work affects an approximately 8-mile stretch of 220 Third Street through a narrow corridor used for local traffic and seasonal farm traffic. The county is phasing construction to limit closures but warned residents to expect detours and intermittent 24/7 flagging when sections are closed.
Phasing, detours and traffic control
Oler described a phased approach with roughly 2-mile segments. Residents within each two-mile segment will receive 48 hours' notice (door hangers) before that segment is closed for base reclamation and paving. During active base work, sections may be closed to through traffic; flaggers will be stationed at segment ends to allow access for local residents and businesses. The county advised alternate routes for motorists, including 240 Seventh Street to 250 Fifth Street and, for northbound traffic, 190 Ninth Street.
Scope, schedule and costs
The county's schedule shows the contractor plans to complete asphalt work on the full 8 miles of 220 Third Street by Oct. 7, with final driveway ties, shoulder work and striping to follow. Oler said the commission had previously authorized about $5.307 million for the project and that the current combined scope (including Metcalf work and an added 1-inch leveling course) produces a budget figure that is about $30,000 below that authorization. "We're about $30,000 under what this commission authorized for the budget," Oler said.
Change order for additional miles
Oler and staff said they will present a change order next week to add approximately 3 miles of 220 Third Street from Metcalf to the state line; the contractor provided a separate price to add those miles. The change order had not yet been finalized at the Aug. 6 meeting. "That change order will come the week after," Oler said.
Construction details and contingencies
The project will include aggressive base reclamation in rutting areas; Oler said crews may excavate beyond the surface structure in sections and then bring the base back up before paving. The contract includes contingencies in the patching and asphalt line items and an allowance of roughly 10% built into base reclamation quantities, Oler said, and the department monitors change orders closely to avoid large supplemental requests.
Operational impacts
Oler said contractors will work Saturdays to accelerate completion and that narrow lanes will affect bicyclists and local traffic. Commissioners asked about widening shoulders and additional rock shoulders; Oler said widening would require right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations and would be a separate, multi-year project.
Next steps
The board approved the notice to proceed; the formal change order to add the 3 miles will be returned to the board for approval next week. County staff will continue public communications, including door hangers, social-media notices and email blasts to advise residents and farm traffic of closures and detours during the work period.