Mahoning commissioners set for seek bids for downtown bridge replacement

STRUTHERS

The Mahoning County commissioners have taken an initial step toward next year’s replacement of the Division Street bridge over the Mahoning River in Youngstown.

On Wednesday, they passed a resolution of necessity to acquire permanent easements for a water-supply line and a storm sewer and temporary easements for parking of construction equipment on private land, with landowners being paid for that temporary use.

County Bridge Engineer Randy Partika said he hopes the demolition and construction contract for the $2.4 million project can be advertised next month and awarded in December.

The contractor first must bore under the Mahoning River for the relocation of an 18-inch water supply line serving the Vallourec Star pipe-making complex, which now crosses the bridge.

Once that is accomplished, the bridge will be closed on or after Feb. 1 for the demolition and replacement project, which Partika hopes will take about nine months.

Read more about that and other projects in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.