EXPRESSWAY Agency action invigorates highway plan

An environmental study will take up to 18 months.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- A regional planning agency has decided to take over sponsorship of the environmental work for the proposed Hubbard Arterial Highway.
The final decision, made Thursday by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, to complete the environmental document breathes new life into the $74 million project.
Better known as the Hubbard Expressway, the four-lane highway that has been discussed for more than 30 years would connect Albert Street on Youngstown's East Side to Bell-Wick Road in Hubbard Township and on to Interstate 80.
Actual construction cost is $50 million.
John R. Getchey, Eastgate executive director, said the $400,000 required to complete the environmental study is available.
The study will take a year to 18 months, explained Kathleen Rodi, Eastgate's director of transportation. An approved environmental document is needed before work on the final highway design can go ahead.
Patrick J. Ungaro, Liberty Township administrator and a member of the state's Transportation Review Advisory Council, said TRAC has $2.7 million earmarked for part of the design work despite delays in the project.
"I'm just happy we're working together," Ungaro said of Eastgate's commitment to get the proposal back on track.
ODOT decision
Last summer, the Ohio Department of Transportation relinquished its sponsorship of the 4-mile highway because of costs and the state's focus on traffic safety and elimination of congestion.
The expressway was designed to open areas along its route to development.
Eastgate met Thursday with representatives of San Francisco-based project consulting engineer URS and ODOT.
James Burns of URS said the highest quality wetlands must be avoided. If not, he explained, the environmental document will probably not be approved by regulatory agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers or ODOT.
Eric W. Smith, also of URS, said that the environment is "not an optional issue."
Burns and Smith said regulatory agencies want to be assured of minimal disturbance to wetlands through such methods as zoning.
Edward W. Deley Jr., environmental coordinator of ODOT's District 4 in Akron, said ODOT will provide technical assistance with the study. Deley pointed out that the influence of development along the expressway must be taken into consideration.
yovich@vindy.com