Struthers City Council members heard a presentation from civil engineer Renee Wittenberger of EDG about a planned multiuse Safe Routes to School path along 5th Street that project documents show is funded at about $1,500,000 and requires no local match.

Wittenberger told the council the project would convert part of 5th Street right‑of‑way to an 11‑foot shared‑use side path with a landscaped buffer, narrowing travel lanes and removing the need for the city to provide local matching funds. “I will take $1,500,000,” Wittenberger said when describing ODOT’s funding offer. A council member added, “Let me reiterate that we pay nothing,” reflecting the presenters’ statement that the state is providing the match so the city would not contribute local funds.

The presenter framed the work as a safety measure that links five schools and reduces pedestrian exposure at crossings. Wittenberger cited recent crash and speed data along 5th Street and described design elements intended to slow traffic: narrower travel lanes, a 5–7‑foot vegetation buffer between the path and roadway, and a separated 11‑foot path to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and mobility devices. She said the design reduces typical crossing distances and will remove cyclists from the travel lane.

Council members asked detailed operational questions about the plan’s right‑of‑way impacts, parking, and school dismissal patterns. Members and staff discussed an existing 11‑foot easement from curb and whether the project would require additional right‑of‑way or temporary work. Wittenberger said the intent is to keep the back of the sidewalk location constant, move curbs inward where needed, and avoid taking private property; she offered to review survey results with staff and return with clarifications.

Councilors expressed concern about traffic during middle‑ and elementary‑school pickup and about buses and commercial vehicles negotiating narrowed lanes. Wittenberger and other staff said they will coordinate with the police and school officials to plan drop‑off/pick‑up changes and to address potential conflict points.

Project timing and funding details presented to the council: stage‑2 design (60–75%) is underway; stage‑3 (near 100%) is scheduled for December; the project is projected to go out to bid in May 2027 and to be complete by June 2028. Wittenberger said roughly 80% of funds are federal and 20% state (the state providing the match), which triggers single‑audit requirements for the city.

Wittenberger emphasized steps to limit construction disruption, including contract requirements aimed at avoiding extended construction past the Fourth of July holiday. She offered regular updates and further coordination meetings with city staff, police and school representatives. Council members generally praised the project’s safety focus but asked staff to develop solutions for pickup and parking issues before final design.

Next steps: staff will continue design coordination, address right‑of‑way and school‑traffic concerns with the presenter and schools, and return with updated survey and staging details as the project advances through stage‑3 design.