After five long years, a groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday in Bucyrus for a downtown revitalization project.

The $4.7 million renovation project runs along Ohio 4 and Ohio 98. The project was awarded to Andersen-Petzen Construction of Metamora, Ohio.

Community members, local and state officials were on hand to kick-off the construction project made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The project includes storm water improvements, new traffic lights, waterline repairs, resurfacing the road, and the widening of Sandusky Avenue from Charles Street to Perry Street.

Bucyrus Mayor Dan Ross said the project supports the city's motto "We are not participating in this recession, we are moving ahead." 

82nd District State Rep. Jeff McClain said projects like this are great examples that brighter days are ahead for the economy.

ODOT District 3 Deputy Director John Hart said this is the fifth recovery project for north central Ohio. He said Ohio District 3 has 25 stimulus projects in the region that will bring in $30 million to north central Ohio.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said there more small glimmers of hope happening around the state. He said the project is made possible thanks to Senator Sherrod Brown and members of Congress who voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Fisher said Gov. Ted Strickland also has worked hard to make sure projects like this occur throughout the state.

Fisher said the project also shows that communities are moving beyond the recession by working together, reinvesting, saving jobs and creating new jobs.    

More than $2.3 million in local money set aside for the project will be used for other paving and milling projects in the city.

The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 15, 2010.

Ohio 4 (Sandusky Ave.), between East Charles Street and Galus Street in Bucyrus, will be closed to truck traffic from Aug. 3 to Oct. 15 for the resurfacing and streetscape project. The posted truck detour route will be Ohio 4 to Beal Avenue, east on Beal to Ohio 19, northwest on Ohio 19 to Whetstone Street, north on Whetstone Street to East Mansfield Street, east on East Mansfield Street to U.S. 30, west on U.S. 30 to Ohio 4m and reverse.

For more information visit www.buckeyetraffic.org.