City of Kenton Awarded Water and Sewer Infrastructure Project Funding

(L-R) Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, Mayor Lynn Webb, Rep. Cross and Ohio EPA Deputy Director Jessica Kuenzli announce the newest state grant at a Monday press conference

COLUMBUS—The Ohio EPA in partnership with the Ohio Department of Development today awarded the City of Kenton funding to be used toward water and sewer upgrades, announced State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Findlay).

More specifically, the city was awarded $5 million from the Department’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant program and a $500,000 0% loan from the Ohio EPA.

“I am committed to ensuring our tax dollars come back to serve the 83rd House district,” said Cross. “Water infrastructure is a critical piece of the foundation of our community and it is critical we make these investments to ensure generations to come can flourish in Ohio.”

Specifics of the projects impacted by this funding are as follows:
• Upgrade 12-inch water mains on Franklin, Main, Columbus and Detroit Streets, and 8-inch water mains on Market, Carrol, Wayne and Ohio Streets;
• Install redundant 12-inch main under the Scioto River to provide a reliable connection to the plant; and
• Repair and/or replace all infrastructure including water mains, and storm and sanitary sewers to reduce the number of water main breaks and infiltration into sewers.

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant funding was secured by the Ohio House in the most recent state budget.

Local and state officials toured areas around the downtown, including a stop at Twirl, that will benefit from improvements to the city’s infrastructure

Some details of the city of Kenton’s phase 2 water improvement project were presented at a special Downtown Business Association Speaker Series that was held Monday morning.

Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, was the featured speaker.

The project will start in late February or early March on Main Street and once completed there, it will move to Detroit Street.

Roads will be closed to through traffic, but maintained for local traffic.

Side roads will be open but sporadic closures may be necessary.

The project is expected to take a total of 18 months depending on the weather.

The first nine months will be underground work, followed by resurfacing.

The city received a 5 million dollar state grant for the project last summer.