GALLIPOLIS — Plans are moving forward within the City of Gallipolis to repair the upper portion of First Avenue that has remained closed to traffic for over a month.

According to Gallipolis City Manager Randy Finney, four quotes from reputable businesses in the area were recently received by his office for slip repair work in the area.

Boone Coleman Construction of West Portsmouth, Ohio, was reportedly the lowest bidder and turned in a quote of $49,448.

Local company Supreme Asphalt turned in the next to lowest bid at $49,525, according to Finney, with bids from Southern Ohio Trenching of Ironton at $57,664 and George Igel & Company of Columbus at $89,657 following respectively.

The 800 block of First Avenue was closed to traffic on Sunday, June 17 after a large portion of the roadway slipped into the Ohio River during the early morning hours. The roadway has remained closed since that time.

During a meeting on June 19, the Gallipolis City Commission unanimously passed an emergency ordinance authorizing the city manager to utilize up to $80,000 for the emergency repair work and to enter into an agreement with the contractor with the lowest and best bid for the repair.

Finney reported that he is hopeful that work can begin on the project within the next few weeks.

“I am waiting on a little more paperwork to come from Boone Coleman and then he is going to get a schedule of when he can get started. He said he should be able to get started rather quickly. He didn’t think it would take him very long to do it,” Finney said.

Finney also reported that additional sink holes above an beyond the major slip are also a concern and will be included in the project for an estimated $19,000.

Reportedly, the Ohio Public Works Commission [OPWC] also did agree to provide a grant to the city that will cover 85 percent of the cost of the emergency repair work to First Avenue.

“It’s a big, big plus for us. A big help,” Finney said. “I think [Rep.] Ryan Smith helped us with that. He called and asked what I needed; I said, ‘I need money,’ and, three hours later, I got a phone call.”

Engineering work on the road leading to Mound Hill Cemetery is also moving forward.

According to Finney, geo-tech work, as well as core drilling and surveying work has been completed on the old roadway leading to the cemetery.

Cemetery Road, leading to Mound Hill, was closed in April 2011 due to excessive slippage and Finney reported that in an additional three to four weeks, the engineering work is expected to be completed.

After this point, the project will go out to bid, according to Finney.

The Elm Alley sewer project is also nearing completion.

Reportedly, the contractor has placed two man holes, with a third expected to be completed this week. The lift station has also been installed, according to Finney.

“They are moving forward with the work,” Finney said. “I’d say, he’s probably got another two weeks, at the most, to get finished up there, depending on the weather.”

The city has also reportedly submitted numbers to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) related to storm damage that occurred in the municipality on June 29.

Finney stated that he is unsure whether any funding would be received from FEMA for storm damage, but he has requested $28,000, the majority of which for tree services following the storm, as well as funding for labor and materials for cleanup.