I-TEAM: State complaint about roundabout delays draws Toledo Edison to make changes

I-TEAM: State complaint about roundabout delays draws Toledo Edison to make changes

LUCAS CO., Ohio (WTVG) - Toledo Edison is making changes after the company was called out for delaying major construction projects in Lucas County.

13 Action News has been tracking a complaint the Lucas County Engineer made to state officials that said Toledo Edison’s slow timelines have jeopardized funding and will disrupt a local school.

Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski said not one of the five roundabouts on his office’s construction list started on time. Crews could not break ground until power poles and utilities were moved from the right-of-way.

In response, Toledo Edison has assigned a public works coordinator to oversee utility relocation projects with local governments.

Delays prompted state complaint

Pniewski said pole relocation at Monclova and Albon Roads and Monclova and Waterville-Monclova Roads did not happen until weeks after the scheduled date.

Monclova Primary School is at the corner of the Monclova and Waterville-Monclova. The roundabout construction was scheduled to be finished before the school year started, but now the project will bleed into the first few weeks.

School and local leaders had to create a plan for school traffic.

Pniewski filed a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO about the delays “jeopardizing funding, contractor damages, and school operation.”

The complaint noted Pniewski’s office notified Toledo Edison in February 2024 that utilities needed to be moved by February 2026, giving the company two years to act.

Still, those timelines were not met.

“All of our roundabouts this year were delayed,” Pniewski said.

Toledo Edison responds to complaint

PUCO contacted Toledo Edison leadership and initiated a mediation process with the Lucas County Engineer’s Office.

A Toledo Edison representative told 13 Action News the company has since assigned someone to a public works coordinator position to track and complete utility relocation projects with local governments.

Toledo Edison has continued to meet with the Lucas County Engineer’s Office.

“That process is, to this point, is working well. We’ll see how it works in future years,” Pniewski said.

Still, this was the worst utility relocation delay the engineer has seen in eight years.

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