Road closed means to stay out of area

Celina city officials are warning motorists to keep out of the construction area along Grand Lake Road, which is being widened and rebuilt.

City police already have ticketed some drivers for ignoring "Road Closed" signs, police Chief Dave Slusser said. A citation for driving on a closed roadway could cost drivers $100, plus the cost of any damage they cause by driving through the construction zone.

"If they hit a manhole casing, they're going to be responsible for any damage they cause," Slusser said.

The road is closed between Livingston Street and Wayne Street. The east-west intersection of Havemann Road is open. Problems seem to be most common on the south side of the project, where some drivers are ignoring the warnings so they can access Eastview Park, Slusser said.

"It's at a point now where they're getting things set so they can begin paving," Slusser said. "That is why it's so important for people to stay out of there."

The entire stretch of Grand Lake Road between Wayne Street and Livingston Street is being rebuilt from the base up. The $1.2 million project is being paid for mostly through $923,000 from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

In addition to widening and rebuilding Grand Lake Road, the project also includes some other improvements. A 10-foot-wide bike path will be built along the east side of the road, the crossing over the railroad tracks will be smoothed and the elevation at the Livingston Street intersection has been significantly lowered to improve safety.

The project is expected to run through November.

Route to travel:

To avoid a ticket or an accident while Grand Lake Road is being reconstructed but still get to businesses that line the west side of the road, a little ingenuity may be required.

Pro Drive will get you to the Orchard Tree Restaurant, Hays Insurance and other businesses but it is not a straight forward drive.

To get there:

From Wayne Street heading east from Celina High School, turn right on Pro Drive (From Havemann, go left on Wayne and left on Pro Drive.)

Go one block to the stop sign. Turn right at the stop sign (on Devonshire) for one block. There is no sign saying Pro Drive continues down the road but it does. Turn left after one block on Pro Drive. Stay on it - it winds around a bit - until you get to where you are going.

Note: You can't get there from the cancer center parking lot or from the professional building driveway directly ahead of you at the first stop on Pro Drive from Wayne St.

- Pat Royse