HIGHWAY PROJECT Agency to decide fate of road

Money and politics are factors in getting the highway built, a consultant says.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- The Federal Highway Administration will decide by spring 2006 if the Hubbard Arterial Highway will be built.
The assessment was made Thursday by Eric W. Smith, a vice president of URS, the project's consulting engineer, during a meeting of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, a regional planning agency.
The long-discussed, four-lane highway better known as the Hubbard Expressway would connect Youngstown's East Side to Bell-Wick Road in Hubbard Township and onto Interstate 80.
The 4-mile-long highway has a price tag of $74 million, with $50 million for actual construction.
Environmental study
Smith explained that URS has begun work on the environmental impact study, a draft of which will be completed by spring 2005.
After two public hearings, the study will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for approval or disapproval.
If approved, Smith said, the task is then to get the construction money.
"There's a long way to go. It's all about money and politics" at that point, the consultant asserted.
The project has the support of U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Ted Strickland of Lisbon, D-6th.
John R. Getchey, Eastgate executive director, said Hubbard Mayor Arthur U. Magee has given his enthusiastic support to the project. Former Mayor George Praznik had spoken against it.
Eastgate has provided $400,000 to complete the environmental study and accepted sponsorship of the project through the federal government's decision.
Dropped by ODOT
Last summer, the Ohio Department of Transportation relinquished sponsorship of the highway, saying the cost is too high.
Also, ODOT said it's now focused on construction of highways to increase traffic safety and eliminate congestion rather than to spur development.
Some believe ODOT withdrew its sponsorship because Mahoning Valley state legislators did not support Gov. Bob Taft's increase in the gasoline tax.
Ken Sympson, Eastgate's project manager for the Hubbard Expressway, said that after the Federal Highway Administration rules, Eastgate will withdraw sponsorship.
At that time, Sympson said, ODOT will be asked to resume sponsorship. Mahoning and Trumbull counties could also serve as sponsors for the highway.
yovich@vindy.com