At least another week before Mahoning Avenue is reopened

YOUNGSTOWN — It will be at least another week before a lower portion of Mahoning Avenue — the location of a major sinkhole and collapse of water and sewer lines — is reopened.

Most of the repair work is done, but a “major obstruction” in the sewer line still needs to be addressed as well as pouring concrete and then asphalt on the road before it can reopen, Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works, said today.

The work is estimated to cost $260,000, he said. The board of control today voted to accept a state grant of up to $213,479 to offset the cost. The state is providing up to 80 percent of the project’s cost.

Also, cleanup work at 13 or 14 houses, most on Whitney Avenue, is done, but replacements or repairs to some furnaces and hot water heaters still need to be done, Shasho said.

The city closed the Frank Sinkwich Bridge — on Mahoning Avenue between Glenwood and McKinley avenues — on Oct. 28 to make repairs after the sinkhole developed.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com