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A long-awaited downtown Youngstown sewer project is to start this summer
YOUNGSTOWN
The completion of a long-awaited sewer project downtown is going to have to wait even longer.
Improvement work to North Phelps Street between West Federal and West Commerce streets will begin this summer and take about a year to finish, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of the city’s public-works department.
City council will consider legislation Wednesday to allow the board of control to enter into a contract for the North Phelps Street project. The ordinance states the project is estimated to cost $1.8 million.
“This project is going to get moving,” said Mayor John A. McNally. “It’s been lingering for years.”
The project to replace an aging sewer line in that area has been troubled since it started in February 2013. Some business owners on and near the location complained about street closings and that they weren’t informed about the project.
That was followed by unexpected improvements to manholes and catch basins and a 37.6 percent increase in the project’s cost.
However, the biggest problem was the discovery of underground AT&T wires and telephone conduits that are in the path of the sewer line that halted the project on North Phelps project between Federal and Commerce.
There hasn’t been any improvement work on that section of the street since the middle of 2013 while the city worked out relocation plans with AT&T.
In October 2013, Shasho said the work would be done around spring 2015. He said Monday that it would be done by summer 2016.
The work to start in the summer includes 20,000 splices to AT&T fiber-optic lines and consolidating some telephone conduits, Shasho said.
When the work — which includes the replacement of a 24-inch sanitary sewer line — begins, that section of road would be closed to vehicular traffic, Shasho said.
When the project is finished, the city may decide to keep vehicles off the road and turn it into an outdoor entertainment area, McNally said.
Also Wednesday, council will consider an ordinance to authorize the board of control to find a company to resurface Belmont Avenue between Federal and Wirt streets with the $1.29 million project financed with state and federal grants, Shasho said.
That project will start at the end of July and take two months to complete, Shasho said.
Meanwhile, council is expected to vote on creating four policies to: protect whistle-blowers, address violence and bullying in the workplace, detail the improper use of city cellphones and city computers.
Council postponed votes at its Jan. 21 meeting as some members had questions.
Those questions have been answered and council will vote Wednesday, said Councilwoman Janet Tarpley, D-6th.