Plaza Boulevard extension in Mentor set to open

The book on the Plaza Boulevard extension saga is about to close.

The city of Mentor plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the road at noon May 17, on the south side of the railroad tracks. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, to include local officials and business leaders. Parking is available at Toys “R” Us, 7723 Mentor Ave.

“In 1988, I was on the Mentor Master Streets Committee, and Plaza extension was our No. 1 recommendation,” Councilman at large Ray Kirchner said. “And while it has been a long and exhaustive journey, I am thrilled it will finally become reality. Opening this new north-south artery will greatly enhance our safety forces’ response times.”

The project involved extending the road northwest of Route 20 over two sets of railroad tracks to link to Tyler Boulevard via Clover Avenue. Clover was renamed accordingly.

The work seemed to drag on as the city awaited movement by CSX and Norfolk Southern to create at-grade crossings and coordinate warning signals.

“We are thankful for the tenacity of the people involved in this project from its inception decades ago through today,” Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic said. “It took a lot of hard work to keep it on track and get it completed despite a lot hurdles.”

Change orders within the last year brought the project total to $2.9 million. The final change order — totaling more than $216,000 — was charged, in part, because of a 156-day extension of the contract completion date.

City leaders originally had hoped to have the extension under way in 2013 after being awarded a $900,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant/loan. It also will be paid for with tax increment financing revenues and bond funding.

Councilman at large Scott Marn, who along with Kirchner had been vocal about his frustration with the delays, expressed gratitude now that it is set to open.

“Personally, I can’t wait to drive it,“ he said.

In December, council passed a resolution authorizing creation of a railroad quiet zone at the CSX and Norfolk Southern crossing on the extension. Train horns will no longer routinely be sounded when approaching the crossing except in an emergency.

The Federal Railroad Administration requires extra safety precautions, in addition to lights and gates, in order to allow a quiet zone. The project included raised medians in the center of the road at the crossing to prevent motorists from driving around downed gates.

The quiet zone is expected to take effect for CSX on May 21 and for Norfolk Southern on June 4, Mentor Engineer Dave Swiger said.

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