Brown eyes city project

NORWALK — A U.S. senator came to town Tuesday afternoon to promote a government program he says is working. Sen. Sherrod Brown, public works director Aaron Osborn and Norwalk Mayor Dave Light speak about an upcoming water line project in the city. LYNANNE VUCOVICH/REGISTER Sen. Sherrod Brown visited Norwalk to learn about an upcoming water line project. The project will be funded using American Rescue Plan funds. Brown joined Norwalk Mayor Dave Light on West Main Street to see the project site. In the past, the city has fixed parts of the water line but has been unable to finance a full replacement. "The American Rescue Plan is helping local governments recover from the pandemic and fund essential needs, like repairing the West Main Street water line," said Brown, Ohio's Democratic senator. Light said thanks to the federal funds the city will not have to take out loans for the project or increase water rates to finance it. "Norwalk is a textbook example of how these funds should be used. We're replacing over 5,000 feet of water line," Light said. "You can see patches in the blacktop from where we've had breaks in the lines. This money is a huge help." The water line project will replace a cast-iron water line installed in 1903 on West Main Street. Existing trolley tracks and bricks under the roadway will be removed and the road will be reconstructed with new curbs and drains. "It was nice to see him take the time to visit our city to see first-hand how we are utilizing a large portion of our American Rescue Plan money," Light said. "Without this money, our community would have had to borrow the funds to complete this project." The city of Norwalk received $883,418 for the first tranche of the American Rescue Plan Act money. Brown said the plan has kept businesses afloat during tough times. "It's mattered for everyone. The Rescue Plan has helped a lot of businesses. It's going to matter in a big way for infrastructure," Brown said. "Small communities won't be left out." The city is taking a supplemental to council for $812,300 which will cover the water line and design costs for the West Main Street Waterline Replacement Project, leaving $71,118. The city has not finalized the details on how this money will be spent yet. The city could get more funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan currently being negotiated in Washington. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan will also be an investment in Ohio communities like Norwalk that will pay off for years to come," Brown said. "It will create jobs, help attract new businesses, and help cities upgrade roads, bridges, and water infrastructure." Brown said he believes the bill will be passed before Thanksgiving. "(Sen. Rob) Portman and I worked (in a bipartisan fashion) on strong provisions for "buy America," Brown said. "When they're doing these infrastructure replacements, we're going to make sure these are products made in the U.S." It still needs to pass the House of Representatives but the plan includes $9.8 billion in formula funding to repair, replace and upgrade roads and bridges throughout the state. Also, there will be $12.5 billion in funding to repair and replace nationally and regionally significant bridges, like the Brent Spence Bridge in Ohio. While visiting Norwalk, Brown also made the time to speak with residents who came to see him, including city council members Matt Doughty and Deb Lucal.