Northeast Ohio funds stormwater improvement project in North Royalton

North Royalton, Ohio, will invest $251,180 in a new stormwater management project. The work will focus on restoring and stabilizing the streambank along Big Creek at Sprague Road and Thornhurst Drive. The North Olmsted company, Leach Excavating, is set to begin construction at the end of April. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is funding the entire project through its Community Cost-Share Program. This initiative aims to support local stormwater management efforts. This marks the second such project in this area, following another completed in early 2024. For the earlier project, the district paid $672,900 to Tri Mor Corp. to replace and enlarge a culvert under Sprague Road. This improvement was aimed at managing stormwater and enhancing the environment. North Royalton and nearby Parma each contributed $35,000 for that project, which included creating a floodplain with native plants. The new project will further stabilize the streambank. Construction will include making slopes less steep for easier maintenance. Additionally, workers will demolish an empty house in the area, helping to improve stormwater flow. New features like riffles and scour pools will be added to the stream. These structures will reduce erosion, enhance water quality, and create habitats for aquatic life. Deeper areas will provide shelter for fish and other species, promoting biodiversity. Leach Excavating was chosen among seven companies that bid on the project. Although another company had the lowest bid, their proposal was rejected for not meeting bonding requirements. The estimated cost for the project was originally set at $316,073.