Some area projects are poised at the starting gate while others are nearing the finish line.

In Hanging Rock, the dirt should soon be flying at the site of the future Rumpke recycling plant on County Road 1A.

&#8220We have notice to proceed today so the contractor can go ahead and begin within the next couple of weeks, possible as early as next week,” said Jonathan Kissell, Rumpke corporate communications coordinator.

&#8220The plans now are to have the transfer station in operation by April or May of 2006 and final completion of the project in August 2006.

J&H Reinforcers and Structural Erectors of Portsmouth is the contractor for the solid waste transfer and recycling station.

The Lawrence County Commission Thursday signed off on the project.

The commission's acquiescence was needed since Community Development Block Grant funding was used to pay for some of the infrastructure, Lawrence County Community Action Organization Assistant Director Ralph Kline said.

The commission Thursday also gave its approval to a bid award on phase II of the County Road 37 water line project in Windsor Township.

Hometown Excavating of Scottown will perform the work to extend water lines to homes in that area from Timber Ridge Lake to the Crown City Wildlife area at a cost of $62,750. That entity was the sole bidder for the project.

Phase I of the project extended lines from State Route 775 to Timber Ridge Lake. More than a dozen households will have water service once both phases of the project are completed.