Nearly a mile of Spangler Road will be repaired, which includes construction of 250 feet of sanitary sewer under the railroad, approximately 4,300 feet of new water main, improving the at-grade railroad crossing by raising the road over eight feet, and resurfacing the road with new asphalt and restriping.
“This is a key location for the city,” City Manager Deborah McDonnell said. “Investing the money lays the groundwork for new opportunities and new development for the city. It’s mostly just open, undeveloped ground, so it’s a perfect opportunity to add industrial.”
The cost of the project is about $1.68 million. City Council awarded the construction contract to Piqua-based Kinnison Excavating in July. Harris said the project is being paid for with all local funding — water, sewer and county motor vehicle license permit monies.
The two-lane road will be widened from 11- to 12-foot lanes, with a small shoulder, Harris said.
“We don’t actually have water or utilities out there for certain properties, so in order to help motivate new businesses, we’re putting in utilities and improving the roadway,” Harris said. “It’s a prime area for development because of just how close it is to 675.”
The average daily traffic count on Spangler — which runs parallel to I-675 — is 770.
The railroad crossing at Spangler closed last week, and a detour via Black Lane has been established. Access on Spangler to the tracks from both the north and south is available for residents and businesses.
A food service distributor — I Supply Company — operates a 123,000-square-foot facility at 1255 Spangler. According to its website, I Supply employs 200 people and had $250 million in sales in 2013.
Jerry Parisi, chairman and CEO of I Supply, said the company is on pace for $275 million in sales this year. He said he’s been lobbying the city the last several years to have Spangler improved.
Currently, I Supply does not permit its tractor-trailers to travel north on Spangler because of the severe grade at the railroad crossing, Parisi said. As a result, the trucks have to go south on Spangler, and access I-675 from Ohio 235.
“It will be a more pleasant drive coming from the north or returning to the north,” Parisi said. “The savings, over the course of a year in fuel, will be significant, and we’ll gain a lot of efficiency.”
Railroad service for Norfolk Southern will not be interrupted because of the construction, Harris said.
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