Repair of Mahoning Avenue sinkhole still a week from completion

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, said Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works.

The work is estimated to cost $260,000, he said. The board of control voted Thursday 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.

“We’re trying to get Mahoning Avenue fixed as quickly as we can,” Mayor John A. McNally said. “Our contractor is working 16-hour days.”

The city closed the Frank Sinkwich Bridge on Mahoning Avenue between Glenwood and McKinley avenues Oct. 28 to make repairs after the sinkhole developed. Mahoning Avenue is one of the major roads on the city’s West Side.

Read more about the project's progress in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.