The Warren City Council has approved plans for a partnership with Ohio Edison for work surrounding the Perkins Park pedestrian bridge project.

While the plan to build the bridge was approved on January 12, 2026, plans to re-run the power lines strung over the Mahoning River were not always in the works. 

The council realized that the overhead wires would interfere with the engineering of the bridge project and was able to work with Ohio Edison on a resolution to run the wires under the river.

"It really is a win-win for the city and Ohio Edison because it allows them to rerun wires in a more secure fashion," First Ward Warren Councilman Todd Johnson said. "It allows us to have more aesthetically pleasing and better infrastructure for the pedestrian bridge."

The bridge will connect the Amphitheater in Perkins Park to the other side of the river near West Market Street.

Johnson said that the infrastructure project and rewiring will be fully funded by Ohio Edison, at no cost to the city. 

The powerline plans will not change the pedestrian bridge project schedule, Johnson said.

21 News previously reported that the plans for the completion of the pedestrian bridge project will take place over the summer of 2026.