Rep. Lauren McNally Announces $606,375 for the City of Youngstown

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $606,375 in Fiscal Year 2025 for the City of Youngstown as part of Ohio Department of Transportation’s Municipal Bridge Program.  

“Repairing, replacing, and building new infrastructure is an essential function of government. It’s what’s needed to connect all people, allow communities to grow and thrive, and keep people safe as they travel and move about,” said Rep. McNally.  “These federal resources, passed through the state, will allow us to creatively explore new uses for this part of town. It’s an exciting time.”

The Municipal Bridge Program provides federal funds to municipal corporations, metroparks and Regional Transit Authorities for bridge replacement or bridge rehabilitation projects. Bridges must be open to vehicular traffic. A funding limit of $2 million per project is set. The West Avenue Bridge demolition project will demolish the West Avenue Bridge within the City of Youngstown over the Mahoning River and is one of 24 projects totaling $28 million in spending for bridges throughout the state of Ohio. The grants announced today are funded with additional support from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Formula Program.

“Funding for these projects was limited before this federal investment. Now the state can cover 100 percent of design costs. That really matters to local governments who are the closest to people and need every resource they can get to help the most people possible.” said Rep. McNally. “This bridge has been unsafe for more than 15 years and there are better uses for this property.”

“The City of Youngstown Department of Public Works is pleased to hear of our successful application for State of Ohio Municipal Bridge Funding for Demolition of the West Ave Bridge,” said Chuck Shasho, Deputy Director of Public Works at the City of Youngstown. “The Department of Public Works is extremely grateful to the state selection committee for their decision to assist the Department in the removal of this blighted, unsafe structure.”