Northwest Industrial Connector Project

Gov. Ted Strickland,

fifth from left, and other state and local dignitaries conduct a formal groundbreaking Wednesday for the Northwest Industrial Connector project, which involves the construction of a 2.65-mile road linking Ohio 95 West and Marion-Williamsport Road. Shelly & Sands Inc. of Mansfield submitted the low bid to construct the first phase of the project from 1,000 feet north of Ohio 309 to Ohio 95 west of Whirlpool Corp. Estimated total cost of the project, to be funded by federal, state and local funding sources, is $17,655,000. Projected completion date for the first phase is May 2011. Projected completion for the entire project is 2012.

Design is under way on the second phase of the project, which will link the north end of the road completed in the first phase to Marion-Williamsport Road and include construction of an overpass to traverse the CSX Transportation railroad line. County commissioners adopted a resolution to appropriate property for the connector in instances for which the county had not negotiated a purchase price with landowners. If unable to reach agreements, the county will file eminent domain action in Marion County Common Pleas Court and proceed with the project while the court sets a purchase price. Local officials have said the road will facilitate shipping for Whirlpool Corporation, the largest employer in the county, reduce heavy truck traffic on downtown streets and open land along the road to industrial development.

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