Youngstown eyes $5.8M projects to boost traffic, improve pedestrian safety

The Youngstown City Council will consider legislation at Wednesday’s meeting aimed at improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow in the city.

The ordinances would authorize the Board of Control to enter a Local Participating Agency (LPA) Agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for two transportation projects.

One project would involve reducing the number of lanes on Walnut Street from Front Street to Commerce Street and on Boardman Street from Walnut Street to Market Street. Additional improvements would include safety lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, and a new stairway on Walnut Street.

With an estimated $2,868,000 price tag, the federal government would provide $300,000, while the city would contribute $2,568,000 from Auto License Fee funds. The Ohio Public Works Commission would reimburse the city for $1,300,000.

A second proposed project would upgrade 14 signals on Market Street and 4 signals on Indianola Avenue.

The $2,958,750 in improvements would include removing unwarranted signals, coordinating signals, adding new ADA ramps, and installing new pedestrian push buttons and signals.

Funding would come from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds, providing $2,367,000, and the City of Youngstown would contribute $591,750 from Auto License Fee revenue.