State approves portion of funding for Meridian Road project, work to begin in 2016

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Phase One of a multiphase plan funding to rebuild Meridian Road in Youngstown and Austintown is growing.

The state Controlling Board released $400,000 toward the $3 million-plus project cost, in addition to a $150,000 commitment from the Ohio Department of Transportation and Division of Jobs and Commerce.

“We are pleased that the state has recognized the significance of the project and the need to rebuild this industrial corridor that is home to nearly 100 businesses,” said Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. “Not only are the conditions of the road affecting their operations, but they could also be deterring potential new businesses from moving in.”

Earlier this year, the chamber surveyed companies along the corridor and compiled written responses addressing their concerns as to how their businesses were being affected.

Job creation and interest of a company to restart a manufacturing facility on Meridian Road served as leverage to secure additional funding from the state.

The chamber, with the city of Youngstown and the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office, worked to secure funding for the project through JobsOhio.

Phase One will start at Mahoning Avenue and end north of the I-680 interchange, with work beginning in 2016.

The road will need to be substantially rebuilt because of heavy truck traffic.

Much of the work will include replacement of a deteriorated water main that caused subsurface damage to the roadway.

A majority of the remaining $2.5 million of cost is expected to be funded through the Ohio Public Works Commission, Youngstown Water Department, Mahoning County Engineer and Youngstown.

Phase Two, south of Mahoning Avenue to Canfield Road, is scheduled for 2017, and Phase Three, I-680 to the Trumbull County line, for 2019.

The budgets for these phases are $2.5 million each.