HUBBARD EXPRESSWAY End of the road? ODOT pulls out of project

Development of the East Side and Hubbard Township was a project goal.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The long-proposed Hubbard Arterial Highway project may be dead in the water.
The Ohio Department of Transportation's District 4 has informed Mahoning and Trumbull County officials that it has decided to relinquish its role as the lead agency for the project.
If a public entity such as one of the counties, Youngstown, Hubbard city, Hubbard Township or the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments doesn't assume the leadership role by Aug. 4, the project will be closed.
The communities and Eastgate have been made aware of ODOT's decision in a letter to them from William E. Murphy, District 4 planning and programs administrator.
The project, better known as the Hubbard Expressway, would connect Interstate 680 at state Route 7 and Albert Street in Youngstown to Bell-Wick Road in Hubbard Township.
The purpose has been to open Youngstown's East Side and Hubbard Township to development.
"It's kind of a surprise. Nobody expected it," said John Getchey, Eastgate executive director.
The four-lane highway has been discussed at least since 1956.
"That kills the project unless somebody picks it up," Richard Marsico, Mahoning County engineer, said in assessing ODOT's position.
Alternatives
In his June 24 letter, Murphy said the estimated cost of the project has increased from $45.3 million to $74 million.
Murphy said that the project's purpose has changed from reducing traffic congestion and improving safety to one of economic development.
In addition, Murphy wrote, the "tremendous increase" in the estimated costs significantly reduced the feasibility.
Murphy offers two alternatives. One is that another agency or community take over the lead role. The second is that the project be closed, which doesn't preclude it picking up a sponsor in the future.
If ODOT doesn't hear from the communities by Aug. 4, Murphy asserted, "ODOT will assume that none of the local public agencies are interested in fulfilling the role and will subsequently request the Federal Highway Administration to close the project."
'Not necessarily dead'
Carmen Conglose Jr., Youngstown's deputy director of public works, acknowledged disappointment that ODOT is dropping the project. Conglose said he will be meeting with Mayor George McKelvey and some councilmen to determine the city's position.
"I don't think we're going to just do nothing," Conglose said.
Kathleen Rodi, director of transportation at Eastgate, said the project "is not necessarily" dead.
Getchey and Rodi said ODOT has some valid concerns and the agency is discussing the project internally.
"We're just playing it slow," Getchey said.
Only $3,187,405 has been allocated for preliminary engineering for the highway, Rodi noted.
Getchey asserted that ODOT should continue its lead role until next year so an environmental study can be completed to determine if the highway is feasible.
'Slap in the face'
Hubbard Mayor George Praznik said the city isn't interested in taking the lead because of a shortage of money.
"We can't take care of our own," Praznik asserted.
Hubbard Township Trustee Fred Hanley makes no secret of being miffed by the ODOT's decision.
He said the township's comprehensive development plan is based on the eventual highway construction.
Hanley termed the state's decision as a "slap in the face."
"This impacts the whole community," Hanley asserted, noting that it eliminates a connection between the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, not to mention Youngstown's East Side.
ODOT has held meetings to gather information about the highway, Hanley said, adding that a meeting should have been held to discuss the state relinquishing its role.
yovich@vindy.com