Springtime in the Mahoning Valley blooms orange barrels and traffic cones with flashing lights as construction work ramps up on various roadways.

In both Mahoning and Trumbull counties, $71.4 million is being invested by the Ohio Department of Transportation in various active and upcoming construction projects.

The total being invested is vastly different between both counties. ODOT public information officer Ray Marsch explained the dollar amount fluctuates yearly.

“It just depends on what projects are currently taking place in that calendar year,” he said.

Marsch also added the safety of construction crews is paramount.

“From April on, that’s when our construction season really starts. Any time you’re traveling and see those orange barrels or cones, please pay attention to the crews and follow the posted directions so everyone is safe,” he said. “The Move Over Law was put in place not only for safety of first responders, but for construction crews as well.”

MAHONING COUNTY

Mahoning County will see a total of $42.4 million invested in its major roadways. The active projects total $29.4 million, and the upcoming projects total $13 million.

Most notably, Interstate 680 in Youngstown has been under construction since June 2018. This project is set to conclude in July.

The pricetag for this lengthy project is $10.8 million, and includes repairs to 12 bridges on the interstate between state Route 711 to just south of U.S. Route 224. Also, the bridge over Cherry Hill Avenue, just west of Belle Vista Avenue, saw the replacement of the bridge deck.

“Our Interstate 680 bridges project is currently on schedule,” Marsch explained. “It is a multi-year project because it involves extensive bridge repairs on multiple, different bridges and had to do each side of the roadway each year.”

Starting in May of last year in Boardman and Canfield townships, U.S. 224 repairs included the widening of the road at the new Meijer supertore, scheduled to open next month.

The work completed in 2020 included resurfacing from state Route 11 to the Shops at Boardman Park. This year, the road will be resurfaced from the Shops at Boardman Park to I-680. This project costs $9.3 million in total and is set to conclude in July.

Upcoming projects in Mahoning County will see an estimated $2.4 million go to Youngstown and Austintown on I-680 and state Route 711. This includes spot paving on I-680 between I-80 to just south of South Avenue and on the state Route 711 ramp from I-680 southbound. The project also includes minor bridge repairs. This project was awarded for this October and will conclude in October 2022.

Also in Youngstown and Austintown, an estimated $4.8 million is being invested for the redecking of the Furnace Run Road Bridge over I-680 and replacement of the superstructure on the North Belle Vista Avenue bridge over I-680. The start date is slated for October and will finish in September next year. Notably, Four Mile Run Road will be closed for 75 days and Belle Vista Avenue will be closed for 120 days. All detours will be posted.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

In Trumbull County, there are eight active projects and six upcoming projects slated for this year.

The eight active projects total $19.8 million and the six upcoming are $9.2 million.

Notably in Trumbull County, construction on state Route 11, starting in May in Johnston, Greene and Gustavus townships, will see resurfacing of the roadway from just south of state Route 5 to the Ashtabula County line, costing a total of $5.6 million. The project includes minor bridge repairs and will be completed in October.

Some $5.2 million is being invested in Vienna, Brookfield and Hubbard townships for state Routes 82 and 616. Kicking off in May and completing in November, Route 82 will be resurfaced from just east of state Route 193 to U.S. Route 62 and state Route 616 from the Mahoning County line to the southern Hubbard corporation limit.

In Liberty and Hubbard townships, Interstate 80 is also going to have repairs, primarily resurfacing from just east of Bell Wick Road to the Pennsylvania state line. Minor bridge repairs are also on the menu for this roadway.

Currently in the county, state Routes 5, 45, 82 and 534 in Newton Falls, Lordstown, Kinsman, Warren Township and Braceville will see microsurfacing. Completion is scheduled for October as well, coming in at $2.1 million.

Marsch said microsurfacing is the addition of about half of an inch of new material to the roadway.

Microsurfacing “is done to help extend the life of the roads. It is a huge cost saver because it allows our roads to last longer,” Marsch said.

Microsurfacing is application of a mixture of water, asphalt emulsion, very small crushed rock, and chemical additives to an existing asphalt concrete pavement surface. The asphalt emulsion used in microsurfacing allows it to harden quicker than slurry seals.

Upcoming, U.S. Route 422 in Warren City will net an estimated $2.9 million for concrete pavement repairs on the roadway from state Route 169 to Laird Avenue. The project is scheduled to start in October and conclude in July next year.

LOOKING AHEAD

Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 74, the fiscal 2022-2023 transportation budget.

“This budget ensures that we can continue to maintain and invest in Ohio’s roadways,” he said. “Ohio’s transportation system continues to be a critical part of our economy, moving materials and people safely across our state. This budget advances our commitment to investing in state and locally-maintained roadways.”

House Bill 74, with bipartisal support from the Ohio House and Senate, invests $8.3 billion over the two years, including $318 million for highway safety projects, $2.6 billion for other state-maintained roadway improvements, $2.4 billion for local roadway improvements, as well as public transit improvements and other technology items.

nhawthorne@tribtoday.com