Link between 62, 73 could be complete by 2011

The Highland County Press Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth addressed the Hillsboro City Council Finance Committee Tuesday evening to discuss future plans for the Hobart Drive extension project. Otworth told the Highland County Press this week that the project could be completed by the fall or winter of 2011. "It's doable," Otworth said. The long-discussed project would connect U.S. 62 to S.R. 73 on the city's heavily traveled north side. When complete, the extended roadway would be 1.2 miles long and would be partly in the city and partly in the county. Otworth said that the project is currently in the Stage 1 planning. Funding for the project is currently estimated at $4.8 million. Otworth said that there will be funding applications with the Economic Development Fund, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Ohio Public Works. Otworth provided an update on the project to the Finance Committee to help the city plan for future expense. "Hopefully, by giving enough notice, they [the city] can organize their budget," Otworth said. "We're moving forward with the plans." When complete, the Hobart/Carl Smith Drive would be a three-lane roadway, with a left-hand turn lane. It would extend across Careytown Road to Route 73. Funding of $740,000 has been secured, and there has been a 20-percent match from the city and the county engineer's office ($92,500 each). Otworth said the county commissioners have also been very much involved in the planning of the roadway project. In other business before the committee, Hillsboro Fire Chief Jerry Powell updated council members on the department's plans for additional personnel and a reduction in total overtime hours. [[In-content Ad]]