YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The city of Youngstown will break ground on the first phase of the SMART 2 Network this month.

The city has been working closely with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, YSU, Western Reserve Transit Authority, Mercy Health and several other community partners to make the project a reality. 

The SMART 2 Network Project calls for improvements to Fifth Avenue and several adjacent Youngstown streets, as well as the implementation of autonomous shuttle service running from St. Elizabeth Hospital to Downtown Youngstown.

It is funded in part by a $10.85 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant awarded in 2018. 

Phase 1 of the project, which will begin on Tuesday, June 23, will involve reducing the number of lanes on Fifth to one in each direction with left run lanes included throughout the corridor. 

The work will also involve green infrastructure, adding medians, installing enhanced pedestrian crosswalks and upgrading traffic signals.

Officials are requesting that those in attendance wear face coverings and maintain six feet apart from others.

The $30 million investment is expected to enhance mobility, improve safety and integrate technology into a modern transportation system downtown.

It will work to connect major regional anchor institutions such as YSU, Mercy Health and Eastern Gateway Community College.