Construction may begin in late October

Designs to repair a landslide on Ora Richey Road in Ironton are almost done.

Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship met last week with officials from Ohio Department of Natural Resources about the fix.

The ODNR decided in May that it would fix the slip through its Abandoned Mine Lands program. The project has been prioritized as an emergency.

Blankenship said about 90 percent of the design of the drainage portion of the project is done. ODNR is working with an engineering firm to finish the design of a retaining wall.

The project will include widening the road between 15 and 20 feet, Blankenship said.

“That project is moving along,” Blankenship said. “It’s in process. They’re looking for late October/November construction start if everything goes well. It depends on how the process goes. It is an emergency but there’s still design and contracts to be done. It’s not an overnight process.”

The total cost of the project, which will be paid for by ODNR, was not been determining.