LORDSTOWN Officials mull plan for S.R. 45

Sidewalks would be built on the east side of state Route 45.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Approval of a state grant could mean sidewalks for one of the busiest roads in the village.
Ron Barnhart, planning and zoning administrator, said the village has a March 1 deadline to apply for funding for sidewalk construction.
While crews from the street department install most sidewalks in the village, Barnhart said the state funding would allow the village to take on a project with a little larger scope.
"The project would need to total at least $50,000," he told village council members during their regular meeting Monday.
Now, one of the challenges for village leaders is to decide where the new concrete slabs should go, and whether the proposals will indeed meet the $50,000 benchmark.
Council and Mayor Michael A. Chaffee are unanimous in their support of a sidewalk on the east side of state Route 45, from Salt Springs Road to the village's park.
"I think the park is a tremendous asset that we have here," Chaffee said. "The more we can make it available, the better."
Alternative
Some council members discussed whether it would be better to run the sidewalks along the west side of the road, having them on the same side of the street as the village's school buildings, and then installing a crosswalk at the park. But concerns over the traffic near the park, as well as the fact that there's a slight hill in the road near the park could make the area dangerous for pedestrians.
"There's already a perfect place to cross at the intersection," said Councilman D. James London, who noted that lights at state Route 45 and Salt Springs Road currently have buttons for walkers to push for crossing.
In addition to the sidewalk along state Route 45, council authorized Barnhart to include plans for sidewalks from the same intersection south to the Dairy Queen and a small section on Salt Springs Road from the intersection to the village administration building.
Barnhart said once the project totals are estimated, the funding application will be filed.
slshaulis@vindy.com