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Major access road to GM, turnpike to be repaved
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County commissioners awarded the contract Thursday for the repaving of North Bailey Road in Jackson Township from Mahoning Avenue to the Mahoning-Trumbull County line, thereby enhancing a major economic development corridor with direct interstate highway access.
The $947,314 award to Stateline Paving LLC of North Lima was substantially below the original $1 million estimate for the job.
That project, which will repave 2.5 miles of roadway, will be 80 percent federally funded with a 20 percent state share.
That road is important for the area’s business and industry, said Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti.
That section of Bailey Road has an interchange with Interstate 76 and leads to the General Motors Lordstown plant and the Lordstown Ohio Turnpike interchange.
“Bailey Road was a long time coming. The road was in deplorable condition ... You couldn’t re-patch it anymore,” said Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.
“That Bailey Road corridor is ripe for development,” Traficanti said.
“Your best bang for your buck is when you start seeing your roads and infrastructure improved in your local community,” he added.
On another matter, James Fortunato, county purchasing director, said the county hopes to complete the $6 million, two-year restoration of the 105-year-old county courthouse by Sept. 30, but, he said, meeting that target is contingent on the timely arrival of all of the custom-made pieces of terra cotta.
The terra cotta, which is now being installed, is fired ornamental clay masonry.
The courthouse project involves 105 molds and 730 pieces of replacement terra cotta, “with 100 unique, different shapes,” Fortunato said.
Site preparation is occurring for the county’s new $3.1 million, 14,212-square-foot dog shelter at 1230 N. Meridian Road, where a ceremonial ground-breaking will occur in the next few weeks, Fortunato said.
Lou Vega, county recycling director, announced that a tire collection drive will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16 at the Canfield Fairgrounds, with the first eight passenger car tires accepted free of charge.
That drive is sponsored and funded by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tire remediation grant.
Fees will apply for acceptance of tires from tractor-trailer trucks and agricultural equipment.