Pipe replacement construction underway to mitigate Boardman flooding
BOARDMAN, Ohio - Continued efforts to mitigate chronic flooding issues in Boardman that have been a burden to homeowners for decades.
21 News spoke with township officials about a new project in one Boardman neighborhood and with residents about their hope this is the solution they're looking for.
"This is a major artery for these developments," explained Jason Loree, Township Administrator. "We want to make sure it's open."
Construction is set to kick off Tuesday to replace a major detention system pipe along Oakridge Drive within Boardman's Applewood Acres neighborhood. The township is working with Rudzik Excavating to complete the $280,000 project.
"We're building a new pipe and working in between these houses which is very tight," Loree added. "On Monday, we conducted some home inspections for both homes that are in between this sight and starting on Tuesday, 10/31, construction crews will begin work."
This is yet another project funded through the ABC Storm Water District to mitigate the infamous, ongoing flooding in Boardman. One of the two pipes near the outfall of the system is crushed and the structure is collapsing. If the pipe isn't replaced soon, it could lead to even more chaos that homeowners know all too well.
"If this continues, the other pipe will probably collapse, which will back up all the water from the sub-division, not allowing any of that to flow through which would flood the neighborhoods upstream," Loree explained to 21 News.
21 News was speaking with homeowners and they told our news crews they aren't so sure this could help alleviate all of those issues. Homeowners in the neighborhood had 3 feet of water in their basements during massive flooding events in 2018 and 2022.
One man has spent $25,000 on waterproofing his home and doesn't have much faith in the pipe replacement. He told 21 News he, "can't wait to get out of here," once his children are grown. Loree said this is a step in the right direction.
"We're going to be monitoring this very closely with some monitors and doing some inspections on foundations and footers," Loree added. "We don't want to make this worse for the homeowners."
Crews expect the work to be completed by November 11 depending on potential weather and construction material delays.
