Spend $8.1M to improve Valley roads, sewers, bridges, panel urges

The city’s project is part of an ongoing effort to redevelop a section of downtown.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — A project to separate combined sewer systems on Marshall Street and Oak Hill Avenue, and the Mahoning County engineer’s infrastructure program, are among projects recommended for state funding by a two-county committee.

The District 6 Public Works Committee, which works through Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, recommended $4.5 million in grants for water, sewer, road and bridge projects and an additional $3.6 million in grants solely for roads and bridges.

The committee met Wednesday and consists of members from Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The State Capital Improvement Program, or SCIP, funds water, sewer, road and bridge projects while the Local Transportation Improvement Program, or LTIP, is strictly for road and bridge work.

Members also recommended $998,049 in loans for water and sewer projects under SCIP, and nearly $1.2 for the revolving loan program. The revolving loan fund is loan money that returns to the district for further disbursement.

Committee members rank projects using several factors including regional significance and useful life. Recommendations go to the Ohio Public Works Commission and are expected to be approved, unless errors are discovered.

Youngstown’s sewer separation project includes separating sewers on Marshall and Oak Hill between Interstate 680 and Mahoning Avenue, west of downtown. It also includes installation of storm sewer, catch basins, manholes, curb, sidewalks, driveway approaches and a storm water treatment system.

“This project is a continued effort of the city of Youngstown to redevelop this downtown section of the city in accordance with the city’s 2010 plan,” says the application for funding submitted by city officials. “This area has seen much growth in the expansion of the Pepsi Company on Oak Hill Avenue and the development of smaller businesses on Marshall Street and Smith Street including a riverfront restaurant.”

The project will eliminate road flooding and storm and sanitary sewer backup into the businesses located in the area.

The SCIP grant for the project totals $440,700 with the city kicking in a $689,300 match.

The Mahoning County engineer’s infrastructure program was recommended for a $950,000 grant with the county office match at $996,535. The project includes resurfacing nearly 24 miles of roadway in Austintown, Beaver, Berlin, Boardman, Canfield, Coitsville, Goshen, Jackson, Poland, Smith and Springfield townships. Guardrails also will be installed.