By 1808Delaware
One of Delaware’s most visible construction projects is about to reach a milestone, and motorists should expect some unusual traffic interruptions along the way. Crews working on the Point Improvements Project are scheduled to begin dismantling the temporary railroad bridge during the week of October 4, according to the City Engineer’s Report prepared for the Delaware Planning Commission’s October 7 meeting.
The most dramatic work is expected Thursday, October 8, when the steel girders that have carried trains over the construction zone are scheduled to come down. During daytime work hours, traffic will periodically be stopped for approximately five minutes while a crane lifts the beams from the bridge and places them onto a railcar. Four separate crane lifts, or “picks,” are planned during the day. Drivers should expect delays.
Before the girders are removed, crews will be disassembling other portions of the temporary bridge. That work will require traffic lanes to be shifted or closed while maintaining traffic in both directions whenever possible. At times, however, vehicles may be stopped completely for several minutes to allow equipment to maneuver or for work to take place directly above the roadway.
The temporary structure has been a prominent feature of the Point project as work has proceeded to improve the heavily traveled intersection and railroad crossing area. Once the bridge is gone, crews will turn their attention to the remaining roadway widening work within the railroad right of way.
Motorists may also have noticed bumps around some manholes in the project area. City Engineer J. Owen’s report explains that the manhole lids currently sit above the pavement because the final surface course has not yet been installed. They will become flush with the roadway when final paving takes place near the end of the project. That paving is expected to involve the entire project area and will be completed during overnight hours.
Work Continues Across Delaware
The Point project is only one of several major transportation and development efforts underway around the city. On Troy Road, the full closure between Park Vista Drive and Smith Park remains in place for construction of the Merrick Boulevard extension. Concrete curbs have recently been installed for the new Merrick-Troy roundabout, and portions of Merrick Boulevard have been paved. The city expects to announce a specific reopening date near the end of October.
Elsewhere, Glenn Road reopened September 18 following construction of a new roundabout at Mill Run Crossing and Nutter Farms Lane. Nutter Farms Lane was also extended to create a new connection between Glenn Road and Davidson Lane. Minor roadside work will continue with limited traffic impacts.
The city’s 2026 paving program is moving forward as well. Elizabeth Street was resurfaced during the week of September 27, while work on Pittsburg Drive, Henderson Court, Johnson Drive and the complete reconstruction of Stover Drive is scheduled to begin October 5.
Construction has also begun at the Kingsbury Athletic Fields site, where plans call for athletic fields, parking, space for a future parks maintenance building and a fire training tower. Work is expected to continue through summer 2027.
Route 23 Planning Moves Ahead
Planning for the future of U.S. 23 continues through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Route 23 Connect initiative. Stakeholder meetings were held September 14 for the section between Pennsylvania Avenue and State Route 229 and September 29 for the corridor between Greif Parkway and Cheshire Road. The public will get its next opportunity to weigh in October 28 during an open-house meeting at the Delaware County Fairgrounds Ag Building. Two sessions are planned, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Millions Sought For Future Projects
Delaware is also pursuing substantial outside funding for several future infrastructure projects. The largest request currently pending is more than $30.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration for the Glenn Parkway extension and railroad crossing project. The proposal would eliminate the existing at-grade crossing at Berlin Station Road.
The city has also requested $7.12 million in Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission funding for improvements to the intersection of State Route 37, East Central Avenue, and U.S. 42, Lake Street. If a complete funding package can be assembled, that project is currently envisioned for construction in 2032. Application scoring and tentative results are expected later this year.
Additional grant applications include $160,000 for resurfacing South Washington Street between London Road and Bernard Avenue and $500,000 for street resurfacing in the Heather Hills subdivision.
This fall, Delaware also plans to seek $500,000 toward reconstruction of East Central Avenue, a project currently targeted for 2028.
Meanwhile, the city has drafted an updated Thoroughfare Plan dealing with Delaware’s long-term transportation network. The plan will be presented to the Planning Commission October 7 before eventually moving to City Council for consideration later this year.
The Planning Commission meets at 6:30 PM Wednesday, October 7, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 1 South Sandusky Street.
