Editor's note: The comment period has been extended through June 13.

The City of Youngstown's Department of Public Works is proposing a rehabilitation project for the South Avenue Bridge which includes a three-mile-long detour for drivers.

The bridge, which carries pedestrian traffic and four lanes of vehicular traffic over the Y&S railroad was originally constructed in 1957 and underwent major rehabilitation in 1990 and again in 2015. 

This new rehabilitation project proposes to replace the superstructure and rehabilitate the substructure of the bridge.

Additional repair work includes the refacing of the existing abutments, replacement of the approach slabs, guardrail, approach pavement, sidewalks, bridge railing, concrete curb, and pavement markings.

The project will cost $1,162,400 and is slated to begin in the summer of 2025 and last until the end of 2025. During the construction period, South Avenue will be closed to thru traffic and vehicular and pedestrian routes will be detoured.

The three-mile detour for vehicles will utilize Williamson Avenue, Market Street, Indianola Avenue, and South Avenue. Meanwhile, the 0.7-mile pedestrian detour will utilize Williamson Avenue, Gibson Street, Dorothy Avenue, and South Avenue.

Access to all adjacent properties, residences, businesses, and intersecting side streets will be maintained during the construction.

The project will temporarily impact 0.2 acres of land along the eastern boundary of South Side Park, however, this will have no impact on park activities since South Side Park is currently not open to the public.

Anyone with any comments, questions or concerns about this project is welcome to contact Youngstown's Deputy Director of Public Works Chuck Shasho at 330-742-8800, via email at [email protected] or via mail addressed to 26 S. Phelps St. 5th Fl. Youngstown, OH 44503.

Comments received by June 13, 2024 will be considered during this phase of the project's development.