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Sidewalk projects in Valley get funds
By Denise Dick
By DENISE DICK
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Seven projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties — mostly aimed at pedestrian improvements — have been tapped to receive federal funding.
The transportation enhancement projects were approved Thursday at a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee of Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.
Ken Sympson, Eastgate’s program manager, said the projects are scheduled for construction in fiscal year 2012.
The largest project is installation of a new sidewalk along Fairground Boulevard and Hood Drive in Canfield from state Route 46 to the entrance to the Canfield Fairgrounds. Total construction cost is $316,000 with $252,800 coming through Eastgate. The city provides a $63,200 local match.
Joseph Warino, Canfield’s city manager, said the sidewalk will stretch less than a half-mile.
“At fair time and with a lot of the weekend activities you have a lot of people who walk along there, and they have to walk in the street,” he said.
Two projects in Trumbull County are to receive funding, one for landscaping and signage at the state routes 82 and 46 interchange in Howland and the other for pedestrian facilities that access Lakeview High School and middle school in Cortland.
The interchange project totals $200,133 with $160,106 coming through Eastgate and $40,027 as the local match.
The pedestrian project totals $220,000 with $176,000 coming through Eastgate and $44,000 as the local match.
Robert Wilson, Lakeview schools superintendent, said installation of sidewalks will improve safety for students.
“We have had to reduce busing due to financial constraints so we have more and more kids walking,” he said.
Wakefield Drive, site of the school, has no sidewalks, but Wilson said it has high vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Twelve types of projects may qualify for transportation enhancement dollars, including activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, educational activities to encourage safe walking and bicycling, and acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.