County approves low bid on OPWC paving projects

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Commissioners voted Tuesday to enter into a $2.7 million contract with R.T. Vernal Paving and Excavating of North Lima to resurface county roads over the next two months.

The company will resurface more than 20 miles of road across the county.

The projects draw on Ohio Public Works Commission grants that will fund about 54 percent of the contract. R.T. Vernal provided the lowest bid.

R.T. Vernal will also replace culverts on Hitchcock and Calla roads.

County Engineer Pat Ginnetti said the projects should begin today. Some of the bigger undertakings include paving New and Raccoon roads in Austintown and Glenwood Avenue and Hitchcock Road in Boardman.

County officials do not anticipate road closures related to the resurfacing, but Ginnetti advised county motorists to take extra precautions as the projects get underway.

“I encourage everyone to slow it down,” he said. “These are active construction zones, and people’s lives are at risk.”

Officials also reported back on a trip to New York City to discuss the county’s bond ratings. County Auditor Ralph Meacham was among five county representatives who met with Standard and Poors, Assured Guaranty and Build America Mutual. He said it was a very successful trip, and he expects to hear results by the end of the month.

The next Mahoning County commissioners meeting will take place at 9 a.m. Aug. 31 at the Ohio State University Extension Office at the Canfield Fairgrounds.