Stop signs, storm sewers and road work: what happened on West Monroe Street
After three months, $2.6 million project is finished
SANDUSKY — The west end of West Monroe Street saw a summer of stop signs, storm sewer installation, and road resurfacing — and the city says it’s all part of a bigger plan.
Why the new stop signs?
No formal traffic study was conducted, but city staff say they were concerned about drivers speeding up after the road was resurfaced, as well as safety issues caused by on-street parking along the corridor. The changes also anticipate increased bicycle and pedestrian traffic, especially once the planned Sandusky Bay Pathway section between Lion’s Park and Mills Street is built.
While stop signs aren’t technically meant for “traffic calming,” city officials say the low-cost changes will help drivers get used to slower speeds before larger, more expensive safety improvements are in the budget. Lion’s Park and the Erie County Health Department have both recently undergone upgrades expected to draw more foot and bike traffic.
Two big projects
This summer’s work on West Monroe actually covered two separate projects:
Project 1 — Venice Road to Broadway Street
Resurfacing Edgewater Avenue and West Monroe to Broadway.
Reconstruction of Huron Street and the Huron/West Monroe intersection to handle large trucks going to Okamoto.
Limited curb and driveway apron replacement.
Cost: $1,058,545 (Precision Paving)
Funding: $779,751 from Ohio Department of Development, $207,933.67 from ODOT’s Jobs & Commerce program, $70,860.48 from local capital funds.
Project 2 — Broadway Street to Camp Street
About 2,800 feet of storm sewer installed to improve drainage, reduce basement backups, and cut sewer overflow events.
Resurfacing, curb work, and some full-depth pavement repairs at Tiffin Avenue and Camp Street.
Cost: $1,679,432 (Speer Brothers)
Funding: $529,169 from OWDA sewer loan, $874,440 local capital funds, $275,823 from ODOT.
Both projects wrapped up on schedule, and final cost tallies will be presented to the City Commission after closeout.
What’s next for Monroe Street?
Columbia Gas plans a gas line upgrade between Camp Street and Central Avenue in early 2026. Later in the year, ODOT funding will support resurfacing and storm sewer work from Camp to Decatur Street.
