Repaving likely to cause delays

By ELISE FRANCO

Local business owners along Mahoning Avenue said a slight drop in patrons now will be worth it once the repaving project is complete.

AUSTINTOWN — With construction set to begin on a five-mile stretch of Mahoning Avenue on Monday, some business owners said they won’t be surprised to see a slight decline in patrons.

The contractors have been given 60 days to complete the project, which includes repaving Mahoning Avenue from Meridian Road to Meander Reservoir, installation of handicap-accessible curb ramps, repair of damaged curbs, and removal of an unused railroad crossing between Meridian and Four Mile Run roads, said Marilyn Kenner, chief deputy Mahoning County engineer.

She said she hasn’t heard any concern from businesses yet, but delays and lane closures should be expected.

“There will absolutely be backed up traffic,” Kenner said. “You’re talking about resurfacing a five-mile section of a five-lane road.”

Because of this, owners of several businesses along Mahoning Avenue said they are prepared for possible slows in business during construction hours.

“We have to see how it goes before we can judge,” Mike Carannante, owner of Salvatore’s Italian Grill, said. “Like any restaurant people are still going to go, but some will say there is too much traffic.”

Carannante said although the restaurant may lose a few patrons, the benefits of the overall project outweigh the negatives.

“Once it’s complete, it’s going to mean positive things,” he said. “It needs to be done.”

Chuck Eddy, owner of Bob and Chuck Eddy Chrysler Dodge Jeep, said he’s confident in the project’s necessity.

“We will probably be affected. Yes it will definitely have an impact,” he said. “We’ve had construction on Mahoning Avenue before, and the township has done a great job of rerouting the traffic and keeping it fluid.”

Kenner said no detours will be set up, but several east/west routes, such as New Road and Kirk Road, run parallel.

“Travelers can take those routes to help ease traffic on Mahoning,” she said.

The Mahoning County commissioners awarded the $2,527,730 job Thursday to The Shelley Co., of Twinsburg, the lower of two bidders for the job.

“We expect to finish it this year,” Kenner said.