Pending approval by the Lawrence County Commission, design work to repair County Road 32 in the eastern end could start within the week.

On Friday, county engineer Doug Cade accepted an offer by the Ohio Public Works Commission to provide 80 percent of the funds for both engineering and construction.

Heavy rains and nearby construction caused the roadway to fall about six feet last Saturday, at which time it was shut down.

“We have an engineering proposal and an engineering company ready to start design on the project,” Cade said.

Once the design work is complete within a month the engineer can advertise for construction bids.

E.L. Robinson will provide the design work for the repair that is expected to cost $550,000. The remaining 20 percent match will come from the engineer’s Motor Vehicle Gas Tax.

The road could be repaired by January.