Massillon nabs $4M grant for Lake Ave. NE repaving, sidewalks, traffic lights

• Massillon has announced future road improvement projects for Lake Avenue NE and parts of Lincoln Way.
• The city has been awarded $4.15 million via SCATS funds to upgrade the highly traveled Lake Avenue.
• Massillon's share for the Lake Avenue work totals about $400,000, or 20%.

MASSILLON – Orange barrel season appears to be getting extended this year, as city officials and engineers are gearing up for additional road projects.

Lake Avenue NE, Lincoln Way E and Lincoln Way W are streets in line for significant improvements using local and state grants, as well as city funding matches.

Massillon has been awarded $4.15 million through a Stark County Area Transportation Study grant, which is the main funding mechanism for an approximately $5 million effort to redo a popular stretch of Lake Avenue. The city's share is 20%, or about $400,000.

"People in Massillon want good roads to drive on, and that's our goal," said Mayor Jamie Slutz, noting that traffic has been on the rise along Lake for many years. "This is a residential street but also a cut-through. So it gets a lot of traffic."

Road refresh:Massillon's $2.54M repaving plan in 2024 to fix parts of 49 streets. Did your road make the cut?

The upgrades targeted on Lake Avenue run from state Route 21 to Wales Road NE, said city Development Director Ted Herncane, who added that the city must still confirm that stretch of street.

"We're working that angle and hope to get something soon," he said.

Work on Lake Avenue is on track to start in 2026 and will consist of intersection and sidewalk improvements, new traffic lights and fresh resurfacing.

Lincoln Way in Massillon has multiple improvement projects coming

A pair of projects are on tap for Lincoln Way W.

The larger project runs from Sixth Street NW to 32nd Street NW — about 2.6 miles — and is an Ohio Department of Transportation project.

ODOT is pumping in $1.55 million toward the effort, while the city's price tag is $678,000. Work is likely to start this fall, said city Engineer Alex Pitts.

Another Lincoln Way infrastructure project runs 650 feet from First Street NW to First Street SW, said Pitts, noting that the effort includes road resurfacing, new sidewalks and traffic lights.

City Council recently approved the city's 49% share of funding. The Ohio Public Works Commission is paying 51% of the $770,000 cost.

Work could start before the end of the year, Pitts said.

Lincoln Way E infrastructure project in line for 2026

Meanwhile, Massillon has been awarded $2.4 million federal funding for resurfacing on Lincoln Way E from First Street NE to Wales Road NE.

New curbs and catch basins, sidewalks and traffic signals are part of the project.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X: @sgrazierINDE