What’s new in BG: Sidewalks, street paving, shared use paths, cemetery mapping, trash and recycling pickup – BG Independent News

What’s new in BG: Sidewalks, street paving, shared use paths, cemetery mapping, trash and recycling pickup – BG Independent News

Bowling Green Public Works Director Mick Murray presented an update to City Council Monday on infrastructure projects in the community – from sidewalks, street paving, waste management, Oak Grove Cemetery, and city building maintenance. Following is a wrap-up of Murray’s report: Sidewalks and accessibility projects Completed the Leroy Avenue sidewalk infill project, installing approximately 345 feet of new sidewalk on the north side of Leroy Avenue between North Summit and North Enterprise. The project also included ADA curb ramp upgrades. Prior to this project, there was no sidewalk on either side of the street in this section. Replaced approximately 400 feet of sidewalk on South Summit Street between East Wooster and East Clough. Installed two new crosswalks on East Merry Avenue at Willard Drive. Public works crews have continued repairing utility street and sidewalk cuts throughout the community. In July, public works completed the 2026 Mandatory 50/50 Sidewalk Program, a $75,000 investment targeting sidewalks identified as the highest priority through the city’s Sidewalk Condition Index, which considers both sidewalk condition and proximity to schools and downtown. The project replaced sidewalks at 12 mandatory properties and one voluntary 50/50 property. Based on the program’s success, funding will increase to $125,000 in 2027, and staff are currently evaluating properties for next year’s program. Capital improvement projects Under construction: The 2026 Residential Paving Program is underway. Streets have been milled and the base course installed. Crews are currently replacing catch basins and upgrading ADA curb ramps prior to final paving. Project streets include: Buttonwood Avenue (Wooster Street to Sand Ridge Road) Grove Street (Wooster Street to Ordway Avenue)  Ordway Avenue (Maple Street to Main Street) Adams Street (Maple Street to Grove Street) Rudolph Road (Gypsy Lane Road to Sand Ridge Road) Asphalt Rejuvenation Program This summer the city also applied an asphalt rejuvenating agent to recently paved streets, including: Pearl Street (Wintergarden Road to Main Street) Sand Ridge Road (Wintergarden Road to Main Street) West Gypsy Lane Road (Sand Ridge Road to Walmart) East Gypsy Lane Road (I-75 to Dunbridge Road) Lafayette Boulevard (Conneaut Avenue to Finch Drive) South Mitchell Road (Sand Ridge Road to Wooster Street) Woodgate Drive (Woodland Drive to Bowling Green Road East) North Mitchell Road (Wooster Street to approximately 600 feet north of Conneaut Avenue). The final 600 feet approaching Conneaut Avenue was intentionally excluded to serve as a control section. This will allow us to monitor and compare the long-term performance of pavement treated with the rejuvenating agent against untreated pavement, helping evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment for future pavement management decisions. Many residents have asked about this treatment. The asphalt rejuvenating agent is a liquid application that restores some of the natural oils and flexibility that asphalt loses as it ages. By slowing oxidation and reducing cracking, it helps extend pavement life and delays the need for more costly repairs. Active and upcoming projects Construction continues on the Brim Road Shared Use Path, extending from Bowling Green High School to Cogan’s Crossing. This project will be completed this fall. Construction of the Conneaut Avenue sidewalk infill project (Wintergarden Road to Cedar Street) is scheduled to begin this month. The portion along the west side of South Wintergarden Road was delayed due to right-of-way acquisition and is now scheduled for construction in 2027 along with the Wintergarden sidewalk from Wintergarden Park to North Street. Construction of the Gypsy Lane Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Right-of-way acquisition for the Crim Street Shared Use Path is nearing completion, with construction anticipated in 2027. The city is currently in the design phase of both the Brim/Bishop roundabout and the Dunbridge/Wooster roundabout. Waste Management Public Works implemented Routeware, a new routing and fleet management software system, earlier this year. The system has significantly improved operational efficiency by providing turn-by-turn navigation, helping substitute drivers complete routes accurately, tracking completed stops, and identifying missed collections. Routeware is also being used for downtown refuse collection and large-item pickups, improving service verification and customer response. Drivers can document service exceptions, such as carts not placed at the curb or contaminated recycling containers, with photographs. These images allow staff to quickly resolve complaints and provide targeted educational outreach to residents when needed. In addition, Public Works created a new supervisory position responsible for both refuse and recycling, and grounds maintenance. This organizational change has improved oversight, communication, and operational efficiency in both service areas. Oak Grove Cemetery digitization project The city is nearing completion of the Oak Grove Cemetery digitization project. Over the past year, ground-penetrating radar was used in the remaining cemetery sections to accurately locate burial vaults. Staff has also completed field verification of vault locations and coordinated with the GIS Department to refine plot alignments. Paper cemetery records are now being converted to digital records. Upon completion, staff and residents will have access to an interactive digital cemetery map displaying every burial plot along with searchable electronic records. Facilities and grounds Facilities Project Manager Andy Sergent has overseen several significant projects this year, including: Completion of a $1.5 million fluid-applied roof replacement at the Community Center. Completion of a $220,000 roof replacement at the Public Works garage. Replacement of carpeting in the Municipal Court Prosecutor’s Office. Completion of the final two exterior renovation phases at the Municipal Court. Completion of approximately $200,000 in HVAC improvements at the Community Center. Completion of 129 facility maintenance work orders citywide. The construction of the new fire stations is also underway. As part of the recent public services bureau reorganization, facility and grounds maintenance responsibilities have been consolidated to improve efficiency and consistency. Public Works facilities and grounds staff now provide centralized oversight of these operations across city facilities. Urban Forestry In May, Bill Branum was promoted to Urban Forestry Supervisor. He is an ISA certified arborist and has become a valuable resource in assisting the urban forester with customer inquiries, field evaluations, and hazard tree assessments. The Urban Forestry Division continues to focus on proactive tree maintenance, public safety, and preservation of the city’s urban canopy while supporting infrastructure projects throughout the community.