MVSD seeks trade-off in bridge building

One proposal would strip 14 acres of district land.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District is negotiating with two companies about what it can get in exchange for the construction of a new Interstate 80 bridge over Meander Reservoir.
Tom Holloway, MVSD chief engineer, acknowledges that some of the work the district wants done has nothing to do with the bridge work.
"They have to put something together," Holloway said of the agreement being sought by Great Lakes Construction Co. of Hinckley and Anthony Allega Cement Contractors Inc. of Independence.
The two companies are involved in a joint venture to build two I-80 bridges over the reservoir, which is the source of water the MVSD sells to Youngtown, Niles and McDonald for resale to their customers.
The two-lane bridges will contain wide shoulders for emergency stopping and a collection system, should there be a toxic material spill on the bridges.
The total cost of the project is $86.7 million.
To construct the eastbound span, Great Lakes and Anthony Allega want to build a 125- to-150-foot dock on the west side of the reservoir to make it easier to move equipment, manpower and materials to build the bridge.
They also want to strip 14 acres of district land, the dirt being used to build up the banks.
Here's the idea
Holloway said the district's board of directors is looking for the companies to benefit the district in exchange for what they want.
The chief engineer explained that the board is looking for drainage improvements along state Route 46 to the east of Meander. In addition to sediment going into the reservoir, Holloway called attention to nutrients from the runoff that encourage the growth of algae because of the lack of proper drainage.
Holloway said the district is also interested in receiving additional security cameras from the contractors.
Paul Stanard, estimator with Great Lakes, said security cameras could be installed along Lipkey Road and a fire lane that would be used as an entrance to access the property for the project. Also, one could be installed at the point of the peninsula.
Another issue is the upgrading of fencing along Lipkey at Mahoning Avenue and Interstate 80 in Jackson Township to help stop trespassing.
Such negotiations are common, Stanard said Tuesday.
"It's quite frequent. People have things they need," he added.
The effect of stripping 14 acres on district property is being studied by Youngstown State University.
Anthony Allega Concrete has said, however, that it can get the fill from another source other than district property.
The district should get a proposal from the companies in a week or so, Holloway said.
yovich@vindy.com