Motorists who frequently drive 25th Street in Columbus can expect temporary lane closures and potential delays this summer.
But the payoff will be safer pedestrian crossings along the street.
New pedestrian signals, as well as ramps compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, will be installed at four intersections along 25th Street: at Home Avenue, Maple Street, Central Avenue and Taylor Road.
On Tuesday, the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety agreed to hire consulting firm Strand Associates to provide construction engineering services for the project. The company’s total fee is not to exceed $33,800, according to the agreement.
Strand is expected to have engineering plans completed in time to bid the project in May, said Aimee Morris, of the city engineer’s office.
Three of the four intersections getting new signals are near schools including Columbus North High School, Northside Middle School, St. Bartholomew Catholic School, Schmitt Elementary and Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech.
Intersections and crosswalks near schools are some of the busiest in Columbus and have been a safety concern for a long time, city officials said.
That’s what Dave Hayward, Columbus’ executive director of public works and city engineer, said when the city received a $487,500 federal grant to install six flashing yellow strobe lights at five different locations near local schools in 2012.
Despite efforts to improve safety, a 15-year-old Columbus North student was injured after being hit by an SUV at 25th and Home in late 2016. Her injuries were not life-threatening.
But Columbus police and school officials say there have been frequent near-misses close to local schools when children barely avoid being struck by a vehicle.
Until a contractor is actually hired, it’s not known if work will be done at one location at a time — or at all four intersections at once, Morris said.
“But we’ll work with whatever contractor gets the bid on traffic control maintenance to minimize inconvenience,” Morris said.
City officials want the upgrades at all four intersections started and completed in June and July, while most students are on summer vacation.
