NEW FRANKLIN: The Summit County Transportation Improvement District has received a $250,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation to help with the city’s effort to widen Manchester Road (state Route 93).
New Franklin has proposed a $1.6 million project to widen the road as part of the expansion of Hi-Way Distributing Corp. of America. The company plans to add 50 full-time jobs with a total payroll of $1.3 million.
The improvement district was created in January 2014 to help infrastructure projects that both create and retain jobs.
In addition to assisting Hi-Way, the project is expected to ease traffic congestion in an area that is lined with businesses and restaurants.
The widening will include a two-way left turn lane and dedicated left-turn lanes at some intersections. A sidewalk also will be added along the east side of the road, as well as the first leg of the Portage Lakes State Park Connector Trail.
“Not only will the county gain and retain more jobs, but in the process, all residents will get the lasting benefit of a more efficient, safer and better road,” Summit County Council President Ilene Shapiro said in a prepared statement.
It’s the second $250,000 grant the district has received from ODOT.
The first award helped pay for a project that supports the new Arhaus Furniture world headquarters, new Costco Wholesale and future Bass Pro Shops in Boston Heights.
