Construction has begun around East College Street related to a project led by Columbia Gas to replace old gas pipelines and improve traffic patterns on North Park Street. The construction has led to disruptions in pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with sidewalks being closed off in the process.

Columbia Gas Public Affairs Manager Benjamin Cutler provided an update Sept. 10 about the gas line replacement project on Facebook. He noted that, while the mainline installation is completed, service line replacements are ongoing on East College Street and around Shipherd Circle. 

“Service lines are scheduled via appointment and generally take 2–4 hours per property,” Cutler wrote. “Although work on King and Spring streets has not yet started, it is expected to begin soon. The project will see the completion of approximately 80–90 service lines and associated repairs before the weather turns.”

The construction, which began in mid-August, has necessitated the closure of large stretches of sidewalk, particularly just east of Tank Hall.

 Construction is also occurring on nearby North Park Street. This project involves the reconstruction and widening of North Park Street roads and improving the intersection on East Lorain Street. This has led to changes in traffic patterns. The traffic signal at North Park and East Lorain has been removed temporarily, and traffic movements on North Park are now regulated by stop signs. Notably, North Park is currently one-way, permitting only northbound traffic including for residential and school-related traffic. Walkers and bike riders can still use marked-off areas for safety. 

According to City Engineer Randall Roberts, the main goal of the construction is replacing old steel lines with new plastic lines.

“The benefit is for safety,” Roberts said.

Melissa Linebrink, Oberlin City School District director of communications, noted that the school district is working to help students get to school amid construction and changing traffic patterns.

“It is imperative we ensure the safety of all students who walk or bike to school during construction,” Linebrink wrote in an email to the Review.

Linebrick also mentioned that Oberlin City School District Superintendent Dr. David Hall, along with other administrative staff at Oberlin High School, are personally managing school crossing duties to assist students who walk or bike to school. Additionally, School Resource Officer Billie Neadham is directing traffic by Oberlin High School.

Roberts said the construction is expected to continue for approximately six to seven weeks, with an anticipated completion of the last phase of the project by Oct. 31.