Infrastructure | First Avenue Phase 2, Virginia to Grandview Ave

Enabled by a combination grant and loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission, planned improvements included in Phase 2 upgrades to West First Avenue will address safety, accessibility, walkability, and infrastructure condition upgrades from Virginia Avenue to Grandview Avenue. Phase 1 work completed several years ago included improvements from Grandview Yard to Virginia Avenue. Future phases will continue improvements westward.

Funds for Phase 2 were available beginning in the second half of 2023, allowing planning and engineering to occur in preparation for construction throughout 2024. The total planned investment for this phase is $2.8M, with OPWC funding covering $2.7M and the balance of $100K funded through planned and budgeted City infrastructure resources.

Planned improvements encompass "Complete Streets" concepts, providing improvements for many modes of circulation through this corridor, including pedestrian traffic, with intersection improvements/retaining walls at several intersection corners, safer bump-out access to ADA ramps and freshly painted crosswalks, and a new Tour de Grandview start/finish line. Additional improvements include bicycle traffic with freshly painted sharrows and newly resurfaced roadway, transit users, with accessible bump-outs at all of the bus stops, and vehicular traffic, with the street resurfacing and pavement markings.

Additionally, the Project will include the following upgrades to area infrastructure:

Sanitary sewer relining to improve flow and eliminate excess stormwater infiltration during storm events, enhancing sanitary sewer capacity

Increased water flow at fire hydrants, improving fire protection for residents

Construction Notes:

Sidewalks will be maintained on at least one side of the roadway for the duration of the project.

During work hours, there will be times when vehicular traffic will be reduced to 1 lane with traffic maintained by flaggers.

Lead Service Replacement

The City of Grandview Heights has had a lead service line replacement program in place for many years through capital improvement projects. Since 2000, we have replaced over 300 existing lead public services. Each replacement has been done in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations and industry standards.

As a community that is required to contract with the City of Columbus Division of Water for water service, we work closely with Columbus' Public Utilities Department as the water system owner on all public waterline replacements and upgrades, just as we are doing on this project. As the owner of our water system, compliance with federal and state regulations rests exclusively with Columbus, so coordinating with our partner is essential.

The City’s engineers identified that some homes on First Avenue have galvanized pipes extending from the tree lawn to the home. As part of the project, lead lines on the publicly owned side are being removed and replaced by copper.

The U.S. EPA recently finalized the new Lead and Copper Rule Improvements on October 8, 2024, and these rules will become effective in 2027. Until 2027, we must comply with the current Ohio EPA Lead and Copper Rules. Under the current rules, all lead must be removed on both the public and the private side of the service line to complete a full replacement. Other materials, such as galvanized steel, copper, and plastic may remain. The work being done at this time by the City of Grandview Heights is not a "partial lead line replacement", as defined by both the federal and state EPA rules, because no lead will remain when the project is complete. Under current Ohio regulations, 45-day notice to homeowners is not required when full lead service line replacements are conducted in conjunction with main replacements. This project includes full replacement of all of the lead pipes on the public side of the line. Unless previously replaced, most private lines are galvanized pipes, which are not required to be replaced under the current regulations. Homeowners are welcome to replace their private lines, but there is no requirement to do so now.

As noted above, replacement of private service lines is not required at this time. You may choose to replace the privately owned portion of your line now, or at any time in the future. There is no requirement that this must happen before this project is completed. During the transfer of water to the new public portion of the line, there is a small chance your existing private line, if not replaced, may become blocked with sediment. If this happens, the City of Columbus Division of Water can clear the meter screen at no cost. If the meter is clear, the next step would be to contact a licensed plumber.

Connection of Privately-Owned Service Lines to New Public Water Line (Transfers)

Transfers are nearly complete as of November 12. Once your private line is transferred, a notice will be left at your residence to indicate the transfer has been completed. We strongly recommend flushing your lines to remove any particulates that may have formed due to water line work. Flushing should occur immediately after water service is restored anytime lead or galvanized steel has been removed or still remains in any portion of the service line, and when customers are connected to a new water main after being on a bypass. Do not use hot water. Complete flushing instructions are available to the right under Communications titled ‘LSL Flushing Instructions Grandview Heights’.

Columbus has a very effective corrosion control program that protects pipes from corrosion. Certified water operators adjust the water's chemistry (pH) and add zinc orthophosphate to the treated water. Through the treatment process, certified water operators adjust the water chemistry which makes the water less corrosive and creates a coating in the pipes that serves as a barrier, preventing conditions that can cause lead to leach into water. Water line replacements in areas with lead service lines may cause a temporary increase in lead levels in drinking water. We have provided the attached information on flushing to ensure that any particulates that may have been generated during the work are removed prior to consuming or using any water after the transfer. Flushing is the most effective way to remove particulates. In addition to flushing, if you choose to take extra precautions, water filters that ANSI certified to remove lead can be purchased from local stores such as Walmart or Target.

As our partner, the City of Columbus Division of Water stands ready to assist with any questions related to water quality. The Division of Water has a Lead Safe Hotline that residents can call at (614) 645-6725 or contact by email at leadsafelines@columbus.gov. You may also visit www.columbus.gov/leadandwater for more information.