ELYRIA, Ohio — Lorain County Commissioners have authorized an additional $643,000 for the State Route 82 sewer expansion project in Columbia Township following a mid-construction decision reversal by FirstEnergy that officials say significantly altered the project’s scope.

The vote, which took place during last Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting, increases the total project budget to just over $2.8 million.

According to Assistant County Engineer Robert Klaiber, the sewer infrastructure was originally designed to run alongside the roadway within the right-of-way outside the pavement. This positioned the sewer three to four feet from existing electric poles—a design reviewed and approved by FirstEnergy.

However, once work began, the utility company reversed its decision, claiming construc

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