Liberty sewer project begins

By Jordan Cohen

The project is critical to Liberty and Vienna development, Tim Ryan says.

LIBERTY — After six years of studies and applications, Phase I of the Little Squaw Creek Interceptor Sewer Project got under way with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and Tibbetts-Wick Road.

“You can’t have development without sewer services,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, at Friday’s event. “We need to develop the assets that we have.”

The first phase of a four-phase project, the sewer line will tie in along the seven-mile Belmont Avenue corridor from Liberty through Vienna to Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

Patrick Ungaro, Liberty Township administrator, called it the biggest development project for his township in the last decade.

“I’ve already started talking to developers who have the wealth to make things happen,” Ungaro disclosed. He said he had “nothing definite” but emphasized that without the interceptor sewer, he could not have such meetings.

Ungaro said access to Belmont Avenue also is viewed as a positive for attracting development. The artery is in close proximity to Interstate 80, state Route 11 and the Route 711 connector.

Two large grants are responsible for the brunt of Phase I financing: $450,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and $174,000 in federal funds.

All four phases must be completed by 2020 according to an agreement between Trumbull County and the Environmental Protection Agency. Cost of the entire project is estimated at $8.2 million.

Ryan used the occasion to bring up an issue he said is relevant to the project.

“We need to recognize the need for infrastructure,” Ryan said. “We lost our tax base, and now it’s time to bring dollars back to the Mahoning Valley with projects like this. Without infrastructure, there is no development.”