Spring 2025 – KEM in the News
KEM in the News
Roadwork Ahead: Last KEM Update as Mansfield’s Streetscape Project Kicks Off (richlandsource.com)
The rumble of construction equipment and sight of orange barrels along Mansfield’s Main Street signals the beginning of the long-awaited downtown streetscape project.
As of Feb. 24, blueprints have transitioned to reality, which will transform the city’s core into a vibrant, accessible corridor designed for both practicality and community connection.
KEM finished the planning/design phase of the project and Kokosing Construction has been appointed the contractor with American StructurePoint providing construction oversight.
Beginning of construction
The first operations are prep work for water main replacements.
“The reason we’re doing the full water line main replacement is because we don’t want to go in and construct a brand new road and then have water main breaks,” said Brian McCartney, President of KEM. “It’s an old water main and well over its service life, so we’re going to take care of as much of the underground work as we can up front.”
The water main phase will run from February to the end of May, extending from First to Fifth streets. During this time, at least one southbound lane will remain open during daytime hours, with some nighttime intersection closures necessary for connecting to existing water mains.
Roadwork will begin in June, proceeding block by block from north to south through October 2026.
“It’s not just about Main Street, it’s about the Mansfield community and it’s part of a larger plan to increase the economic development and business investment here,” said Brent Rossman, communication specialist with Downtown Mansfield, Inc. “It’s going to raise the whole community.”
Staying informed
Communication remains a priority throughout construction. Rossman is dedicated solely to relaying information around the project.
“I’m serving as a liaison between StructurePoint, Kokosing and interested parties just to make sure we’re minimizing disruption as much as possible,” he said.
Residents can stay informed through multiple channels including a text notification system, social media updates and a monthly newsletter. The text system will have the most detailed information and allows for two-way communication if anyone has questions.
To sign up, text “mainstreet” to (419) 443-6519.
Other information sources include Downtown Mansfield, Inc social media accounts, changeable message signs along the construction route and mainstreetmansfield.com that will feature progress updates and photography documenting the transformation from local photographer and business owner of 3rd Cup Tea, Braxton Daniels.
Supporting and driving downtown
Throughout construction, pedestrian access to downtown businesses will be maintained, although parking and driving routes will vary.
Main Street shops, restaurants, etc., will remain open, so be sure to show your appreciation.
“It’s really important we support the downtown businesses throughout construction,” Mayor Jodie Perry said.
The city continues to encourage drivers to use Mulberry Street southbound and Diamond Street northbound as alternative routes as they have been designed with timed lights to improve traffic flow. Using these roads will save at least two minutes of a commute and also serve as detours when needed.
“We understand construction is going to cause things to be a little different and maybe change commuting patterns, but we ask people for their patience during this time,” Perry said.
The RAISE program
The streetscape project represents one of the largest federal funding initiatives in Mansfield in recent years.
“This is a very good use of the RAISE program,” said Rob Chappelle, Project Engineer at American StructurePoint. “Just the impact it’s going to have by taking a one-way street and changing it into a two-way street and the access for the businesses along there, is huge.”
As KEM completes their phase of the project, their updates have come to a close. To read past articles in the series, click here. To learn more about K.E. McCartney and Associates, visit their website.
“This has been one of the most rewarding projects the KEM Team has worked on,” Brian McCartney said. “Being involved from the vision provided through the Mansfield Rising Plan in 2019, to collaborating with the City on the RAISE grant in 2022, to now seeing the design come to life and witnessing its construction in our own backyard in 2025, I can’t think of a better example of what can be accomplished as a community when its leadership has a clear vision and we work together to achieve that vision’s goals. This project stands as a testament to KEM’s mission to make the communities we work with safer, and one we can be proud of for generations to come.”
Richland County Roundabout Has Reduced Crashes & Injuries (Ohio Department of Transportation)
RICHLAND COUNTY — When a 2018 Richland County Planning Commission study identified the intersection of E. Cook Road/S. Illinois Avenue and Mansfield-Lucas Road in Madison Township as the sixth worst in the county overall, and the worst among those under the county’s jurisdiction, the Richland County Engineer’s Office sought ways to secure funding and improve safety.
Data showed that from 2015-2018, the two-way stop-controlled intersection saw 21 total crashes – an average of five per year – and 15 of those resulted in injury.
The Richland County Engineer applied and was awarded safety funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The purpose of this program is to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on all public roads. Funding is available for projects in all stages of development and typically requires a minimum of 10% local match. ODOT safety funds contributed $1.2 million of the total $1.3 million construction contract cost.
With all funding in place, the county was able to move forward with the construction of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of E. Cook Road/S. Illinois Avenue and Mansfield-Lucas Road in 2022.
“The ability for the County to utilize the LPA (Local Public Agencies) process, and Safety Funds administered by ODOT, made the improvement to this dangerous intersection a reality in a timely manner,” said Adam M. Gove, P.E., P.S., Richland County Engineer. “Without this program, the County would have had to delay this project until other funding could be obtained.”
The roundabout was opened in August 2022 and in the two years since its opening, crashes have decreased by 40% with an average of 3 per year and there have been zero injury crashes.
“While only the second roundabout in Richland County, the simple design of a single lane roundabout has proven effective in reducing crashes and injuries, while maintaining the efficiency of this busy intersection,” said Gove.
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