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KINSMAN -- The third phase of a major sidewalk project in Kinsman has been completed as officials begin planning for the next phase of the project.
Township and county officials and representatives of the Trumbull County Engineer's Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, gathered Tuesday for a ribbon cutting for the sidewalks along the west side of state Route 5 / Main Street.
Officials said this was the completion of the third phase of a five-phase project that was 3,193 feet long and 4 feet wide.
Gary Shaffer, county deputy enginner, said the sidewalks are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, and have ramps and appropriate crosswalk striping for pedestrians.
He said that in 2016, he was contacted by ODOT about the first phase of the project designed by MS Consultants. Shaffer said the next two phases soon were planned, and the fourth phase will be in spring 2024 with funding being applied for the final phase in 2025 or 2026.
"We appreciate all who were involved with the vision of this project. I have received a lot of positive feedback on this project from the community," Shaffer said.
He said the sidewalk project involves 2,610 feet of sidewalk on the east side of state Route 5 (Main Street) from Huntington Bank to Lakeview Drive.
The project also includes constructing five ADA curb ramps and appropriate crosswalk striping for pedestrians, removing and replacing deteriorated concrete steps up to the right-of-way line, removing trees and brush north of Church Street to realign sidewalks to fit within the right of way, reshaping of the existing embankment and replacing driveway aprons with new asphalt.
Officials said final project cost was $205,696 with work done from March 20 to April 24. The sidewalk project contractor was Foust Construction.
Trustee Greg Leonhard said local resident Richard Thompson, along with other residents and businesses, raised funds to help make the sidewalk project possible.
"They helped fill a large void in the township's budget that would have otherwise not allowed this project to move forward. Their generosity and foresight is invaluable. The trustees and fiscal officer, past and present, understood the importance of investing in infrastructure for this project that will help improve the quality of life for our residents," Leonhard said.
Leonhard said the next part of the sidewalk project in 2024 will be new sidewalks on Church Street heading west to State Street and then south to Kinsman Square.
"There are a lot of people who walk to IGA and the post office and currently coming from the square there is no safe place to cross. Safety plays a large role in that project and we are looking forward to it," he said.
Leonhard said the final phase will be sidewalks from Lakeview north on Main Street to state Route 87 and also a section going east off the square.
"The next two phases of the project are very important,'' he said.
Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith said the work that has been done in Kinsman is "amazing."
"Kinsman is the walking village. You see so many people walking here," Gerri Patman, of ODOT, said.
Resident Ginny Pasha said safety is a main concern since many people walk along Main Street and other roads.
Funding for the project came from Federal Transportation Alternative Program through Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and local funding provided by Kinsman.