Ohio 3, February 4, 2023

SMART Project Under Way

By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT

As Montgomery County’s largest investment to date, a new pump station and pretreatment facility at Ohio’s Western Regional Water Reclamation Facility (RWRF) will guarantee continued system stability and redundancy when completed at the end of 2024. There are approximately 30,000 sewer connections that flow to the Western RWRF plant, and most of them run through the pump station.

“Just like any other system in the world, our system is aging,” said Matt Hilliard, director of Montgomery County Environmental Services. “While the pipes themselves are in good shape, this construction will ensure that we continue to provide quality service to our residents operationally.

“This is something that’s needed to make certain our residents receive excellent service. We’re thankful we have supportive County Commissioners and the County Administrator who approved the funding. We also have great engineering and finance teams which got this across the

line.”

Hilliard noted that the $65 million project is a true collaboration between local, state and federal officials, and one that has extreme significance.

“We always strive to be a great partner in the community and to the planet. The water we turn out at our wastewater plants is cleaner than the river water itself. Being a great partner to the environment, as well as our community, both locally and nationally, is a great source of pride for us.”

According to Hilliard, the SMART project will restore existing infrastructure in Montgomery County and improve the local environment.

“Because the infrastructure is in good shape, this project will ensure that we continue to be able to deliver quality services to residents. Over the years, pieces of infrastructure have been replaced or rebuilt, though a large part of our infrastructure is original. Because sewage is corrosive, the life expectancy for some of our equipment can range from 15 to 25 years.”

Ulliman Schutte Construction serves as the general con-

tractor for the project.

“Ulliman Schutte is a national leader in the construction of water and wastewater treatment plants and pumping systems,” said Hilliard. “We are privileged to have a local contractor that has completed over 120 water wastewater projects, valued at over $1.7 billion in the last 10 years. We have worked with them on smaller projects in the past and know that they will be able to bring this project to completion. Their team of engineers, architects, project managers and other key staff are a talented group, and we’re honored to work with them.

“Another great aspect is that they’re local to Montgomery County. To ensure the maximum return of this investment, we knew that we wanted to work with someone local so we could give back to our economy.”

Work began in March 2022 and is progressing at a steady pace.

“Construction is going well,” said Hilliard. “Despite challenges with material supplies, the project team has worked see SMART page 4

Ulliman Schutte photo

Prior to the installation of the pumps, concrete structures that will house the equipment are being built.

ODOT to Begin Akron Bridge Replacement Project This Fall

Department of Transportation

(ODOT) is moving forward with a major project vital to Akron’s transportation system. The State Route (SR) 8 Bridge

Replacement Project proposes to replace the existing 1,500-ft. long, 180-ft. high, blue-painted steel bridge carrying SR 8 over various railroads, North Street and the Little Cuyahoga River. Two new side-by-side bridges will replace the one existing bridge. Construction of the $150 million project is expected to start in fall 2023 and end in 2028.

Preliminary information on the complex project was introduced at public meetings in 2015 and 2016. ODOT provided a project update in 2018 with more details being known on project design/construction and environmental impacts.

Project design was essentially complete when statewide funding priorities changed due to the pandemic-related economic shortfalls. As a result, project construction was delayed due to lack of funding. However, ODOT recently secured project funding and the SR 8 Bridge Replacement Project is now being finalized for construction.

The existing bridge has three lanes in each direction. The new bridges will have four lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow. For SR-8 north, the northbound entrance ramp from Perkins Street will essentially be extended across the bridge to become the exit ramp for the Glenwood Avenue interchange. For SR-8 south, the southbound entrance ramp from Glenwood Avenue will extend across the bridge to the exit ramp for the Perkins Street interchange.

Maintaining traffic flow on SR 8 during construction is important to minimize impacts for the traveling public. SR 8 traffic will continue to travel on the existing bridge while the first new bridge is built to the west. All six lanes of SR 8 traffic will then be shifted onto the new bridge. The existing SR 8 bridge will be removed, and the second new bridge will be constructed in the same location. It is expected that SR 8 traffic will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. However, short term ramp closures may be needed at the Perkins Street and Glenwood Avenue interchanges.

Noise walls will be constructed along SR 8 at four locations:

• on the west side of SR 8 between Glenwood Avenue and Lookout Park;

• on the east side of SR 8 between the former Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center and Celebration Church;

• on the west side of SR 8 between Adams Street and Perkins Street; and

• on the east side of SR 8 between Adams Street and Perkins Street.

Freedom Trail is located under the existing bridge. It is expected to be affected by access road construction resulting in two separate six-month closures of the trail and other short-term closures or restrictions. A trail detour will be provided.

ODOT partnered with Summit Metro Parks and the city

of Akron to minimize impacts to Freedom Trail users during construction and to enhance the trail with permanent improvements, including a new paved connector trail spur to link Perkins Street and Freedom Trail. Also, a scenic overlook feature will be constructed under the new bridges behind Freedom Trail.

Aesthetics is an important component of designing project features, such as the delta-style bridge piers, lighting, fencing, a unique approach feature, the Freedom Trail overlook and the highway side of the noise walls. The project team has had many conversations with numerous local stakeholders regarding the aesthetic features because they recognize the bridges will be a prominent community feature for decades to come.

The bridge was constructed in 1953 to provide a grade

separation for the Akron Expressway (now SR-8) as it crossed over the Little Cuyahoga River, five railroad corridors, the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal and East North Street. To extend the life of the bridge, numerous maintenance activities have been performed. While the bridge is safe for travel and routinely inspected, it continues to deteriorate, is 69 years old and needs to be replaced. Maintenance activities will continue to be performed as needed until the bridge is replaced.

SR-8 at the bridge is a six-lane urban freeway that carries more than 115,000 vehicles per day. It is a vital component of the transportation infrastructure in northeast Ohio and provides a critical link for commuters and commerce to the government, medical, university and other commercial facilities in downtown Akron and beyond. 

Ohio DOT rendering

The State Route (SR) 8 Bridge Replacement Project proposes to replace the existing 1,500 -ft. long, 180-ft. high, blue -painted steel bridge carrying SR 8 over various railroads, North Street and the Little Cuyahoga River.

Ohio DOT rendering Construction of the $150 million project is expected to start in fall 2023 and end in 2028.

Groundwater Presents Challenge On SMART Project

together to identify solutions, keeping things on track. Throughout the project, we have maintained a risk register to identify and mitigate risk to ensure delivery of a quality project on time and within budget.

“It’s very rewarding to see work under way not only for the future benefits of our residents, but also for our staff. Years of hard work and planning are finally coming to fruition, and I think it’s great to see it in real time now.”

Nick Ulliman, Ulliman Schutte senior project manager, said one of the main construction challenges for crews

involves groundwater at the Dryden Road site, which is contaminated by a chemical plume from an old factory in the area. “Our team is implementing specialized support of excavation and foundation systems to isolate the work area, protect the workers and avoid pumping groundwater, which could further draw the plume to the site. This is part of an ongoing remediation plan with the EPA.”

Supply chain disruptions also have been a problem.

“To address these issues, our team has worked diligently to identify materials with long lead times and ensure procurement as early as possible,” said Ulliman.

Contractors are working on excavation for the new building and foundations. Crews have installed metal sheeting, beams and bracing for the support of the excavation system and are now working on actual excavation to allow installation of concrete structures on the pump station site.

“At our pretreatment facility, utilities will be in, or under, the building foundation. Also, we have six new pumps at our new influent pump station. Prior to the installation of the pumps, we have concrete structures that will house the equipment. In addition to the pumps themselves, we also installed all associated piping, valves, flow meters, electrical and instrumentation equipment.”

Excavation at the Western Regional site uses hydraulic excavators and dozers. Excavation at the Dryden Road site uses a combination of hydraulic excavators and a crane with

see SMART page 8

Ulliman Schutte photo Work began in March 2022 and is progressing at a steady pace.

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo

Ulliman Schutte Construction serves as the general contractor for the project.

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo

Excavation at the Dryden Road site uses a combination of hydraulic excavators and a crane with a clamshell bucket to excavate below the groundwater table.

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo Crews use a clamshell bucket to excavate the site.

SMART from page 1

Honda to Invest in EV Production, New Battery Plant

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and JobsOhio leaders announced Oct. 11 that Ohio will continue its historic dominance in the automotive manufacturing industry as Honda selected Ohio to lead its electric vehicle (EV) production and, with LG Energy Solution, a joint venture battery plant.

During a special event at the Ohio Statehouse, Honda and LG Energy Solution confirmed that the combined investments of at least $4.2 billion will create a total of 2,527 new jobs in Ohio between the establishment of a new EV battery plant in Fayette County and the retooling of existing Honda plants in Union, Logan and Shelby counties for electric vehicle production.

Honda’s renewed commitment to Ohio comes exactly 45 years to the day after Honda leadership visited the Ohio Statehouse in 1977 to announce plans for its first vehicle production facility in the United States, the Marysville Motorcycle Plant.

“It has been more than four decades since Honda first saw great promise in Ohio, and although the way we manufacture vehicles is evolving, one thing that will stay the same is the quality of our workforce and their ability to get the job done,” said DeWine. “Honda and LG Energy Solution now join a long list

of companies that have looked all over the country for the best place to do business and have chosen Ohio because we have the ideal economic climate and an innovative and talented workforce. Today’s announcement is further proof that there is no better place to be right now than in the great state of Ohio.”

Honda and LG Energy Solution will invest $3.5 billion in the new Fayette County battery plant, which will create at least 2,200 new jobs. A total of $700 million will be invested by Honda to retool its Marysville Auto Plant in Union County, Anna Engine Plant in Shelby County and East Liberty Auto Plant in Logan County, creating 327 new jobs on top of its current workforce. Once transformed for EV production, the

power source for the vehicles made at the Marysville, Anna and East Liberty factories will come from the new battery plant in Fayette County.

“Honda and LG Energy Solution had many other states vying for this historic investment, and they chose Ohio,” said Husted. “Ohio’s talented workforce and strong business environment, along with Honda’s commitment to quality, continue to be a winning combination for the company and this state.”

Construction on the Fayette County battery plant is expected to begin in early 2023, with a goal of starting mass production of advanced lithium-ion battery modules by 2025. The site, at Interstate 71 and U.S.

Route 35, offers more than 1,500 acres and is less than an hour's drive from Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati and Chillicothe. It also includes access to utilities, including water, sewer, electricity and natural gas.

Honda has a legacy of choosing Ohio for trailblazing initiatives. In addition to choosing Ohio for its motorcycle plant on Oct. 11, 1977, the Marysville Auto Plant produced the very first Honda Accord on Nov. 1, 1982, and the Anna Engine Plant, which opened in 1985, now produces more than 1 million four-cylinder, V-6 and turbo engines for Honda auto plants throughout North America. The East Liberty Auto Plant opened in 1989 and has manufactured more than 4.5 million Honda and Acura vehicles since its inception. In 1992, Honda opened a major product development center in Raymond, Ohio, that now creates many of the vehicles built in Ohio.

“Honda is proud of our history in Ohio, where our U.S. manufacturing operations began more than four decades ago. Now, as we expand Honda’s partnership with Ohio, we are investing in a workforce that will create the power source for our future Honda and Acura electric vehicles,” said Bob see HONDA page 9

“Honda and LG Energy Solution now join a long list of companies that have looked all over the country for the best place to do business and have chosen Ohio because we have the ideal economic climate...”

Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio

Variety of Equipment On Site for $65M SMART Project

a clamshell bucket to excavate below the groundwater table. Western Regional will use a 65-ton mobile rough-terrain crane for concrete, process piping and process equipment work. Dryden Road has a 150-ton tracked lattice boom crane for concrete, process piping and process equipment tasks. Additional miscellaneous equipment will be utilized on both sites to complete sitework activities as needed. Materials are mostly reinforced concrete with an abundance of stainless steel for equipment treating the wastewater.

As for the most time-consuming part of the work, said Ulliman, “Modifying an operational wastewater treatment plant is challenging, due to the 24/7 operational requirements. Our team has invested tremendous resources in thoughtfully planning the connections. We will spend significant effort on testing, commissioning and operator training

for the new facilities, prior to placing them into permanent operation.

“As a progressive design-build project, collaboration among our integrated team has been critical to our success.

Early in the project, our team set goals to construct the project safely and collaboratively in a manner that minimizes water reclamation facility disruptions and max-

imizes value to the community.”

Ulliman added, “Our collective effort has resulted in a project team that communicates openly, honestly, respectfully and frequently to maintain a trusting and cooperative team atmosphere. We believe this teamwork will result in the project that exceeds expectations in terms of schedule, budget, quality, environmental impact and operational efficiency.”  CEG

see SMART page 10

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo Excavation at the Western Regional site uses hydraulic excavators and dozers.

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo

The $65 million project is on time and on budget.

Montgomery County, Ohio, photo

Crews have installed metal sheeting, beams and bracing for the support of the excavation system and are now working on actual excavation to allow installation of concrete structures on the pump station site.

Ulliman Schutte photo

As Montgomery County’s largest investment to date, a new pump station and pretreatment facility at Ohio’s Western Regional Water Reclamation Facility (RWRF) will guarantee continued system stability and redundancy when completed at the end of 2024.

SMART from page 4

Honda, LG Energy Solution Team Up for $3.5B for Plant

HONDA from page 6

Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We want to thank the leaders of the state of Ohio, as well as in Fayette County, Jefferson Township, Jeffersonville and Washington Court House for welcoming this new joint venture between Honda and LG Energy Solution and giving us another Ohio community to call home.”

Both companies announced an agreement to establish a new joint venture company to produce lithium-ion batteries in the United States to power Honda and Acura EV models. The pouch-type batteries produced at the new plant will be supplied to Honda facilities. The plant aims to support Honda’s target of making battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles 100 percent of its vehicle sales by 2040.

“In another major step toward electrification, LG Energy Solution’s innovative battery technologies will not only power Honda’s brand-new EV models but support Ohio’s green economy. We extend our gratitude to everyone who played a role in making this happen,” said Dong-Myung Kim, executive vice president of advanced automotive battery division at LG Energy Solution. “With our commitment to building world-best quality products, together with Honda, we look forward to not only creating thousands of quality jobs here in Ohio but growing together with the community.”

American Honda Motor Co. Inc., LG Energy Solution, the DeWine-Husted Administration, JobsOhio, the Dayton Development Coalition, One Columbus and other state, county, and local officials and partners all collaborated to bring the project

to Fayette County.

JobsOhio, the state’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, has placed significant focus on supporting the automotive supply chain as original equipment manufacturers have begun to place a major focus on electric vehicle production.

“Honda’s new commitment comes after 45 years of collaboration, growth and success, shaping generational opportunity and investment for Ohioans,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “Honda and Ohio have partnered to strengthen its current manufacturing while transitioning, together, to build the vehicles of the future.”

AccelerateOhio also is shaping the future as a collaborative effort between the state of Ohio, JobsOhio and 15 public and private organizations to create an innovation ecosystem for the advanced mobility sector — including automotive, aviation, aerospace and military industries.

To support the expansion of these investments, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority will consider a tax credit at a future meeting, and JobsOhio also plans to provide grant assistance. The Administration also plans to work with the General Assembly to secure state funding for local water and transportation infrastructure. Start of construction is pending local approvals.

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“Honda is proud of our history in Ohio, where our U.S. manufacturing operations began more than four decades ago. Now, as we expand Honda’s partnership with Ohio, we are investing in a workforce that will create the power source for our future Honda and Acura electric vehicles.”

Bob Nelson American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

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