Bill with $8M for Valley Road Projects Passes House

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two road projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties would get $8 million under a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The $4 million each for the Mahoning Avenue Industrial Corridor project and upgrades to the intersection of Routes 46 and 82 in Howland were contained in the Invest in America Act, which provides funding to upgrade infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail, and drinking water and wastewater systems.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, announced the funds in a news release Thursday afternoon. The funds for the local projects represent more than 40% of the $19.2 million for projects in his district, according to the release. The legislation now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“The INVEST Act is a long-needed shot in the arm for our communities,” Ryan said. “This legislation and the projects I was able to secure for northeastern Ohio will be a boon for our local economy, ensuring good paying jobs for our workers and safer roads, new and upgraded bridges, and safer drinking water for our community.” 

The $4 million allocated to Eastgate Regional Council of Governments will fund improvements to the intersection of Routes 46 and 82, according to the release.  

The project is part of a planned three phases of work along Route 46 that also will include upgrades at the intersection of Route 46 and East Market Street, Jim Kinnick, Eastgate executive director, said. The safety upgrades will provide countless economic benefits to the corridor, he said.

The Mahoning Avenue project is “crucial to Mahoning County and Jackson Township to enable commerce to move more efficiently and safely through the corridor,” said Patrick Ginnetti, Mahoning County engineer.

“With growing businesses like Macy’s, Mom’s Meals, Liberty Steel and Extrudex, to name a few, the need for safety upgrades and pavement improvements is of utmost importance,” he said.

The legislation also included Ryan’s Hot Cars Act of 2021, a bill that he has championed for the last three sessions of Congress with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-9 Ill., to address the growing number of deaths of children left untended in cars.

This bill requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue a final rule requiring cars to be equipped with a system to alert the driver if a passenger remains in the back seat when a car is turned off.
 
“The unfortunate reality is that even good, loving and attentive parents can get distracted. Studies have shown that this can happen to anyone, anywhere,” Ryan said. “Our cars can already alert drivers when they leave their keys in the car, their lights on, or their trunk open. This legislation moves us one step closer to making sure every car is also equipped with a system to alert drivers if a passenger remains in the back seat when a car is turned off.” 

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