Poland Village paths in the spotlight
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POLAND – The village soon will be welcoming back the bridge over Yellow Creek previously known as the Graffiti Bridge, and will be seeking input on an Ohio Department of Transportation project for Safe Routes to School.
The bridge project began with a flood in the spring of 2025. The heavy flooding in the creek washed out the foundation of the bridge and thus compromised the sanitary sewer line that was part of it.
"It's the only bridge in the county that the Sanitary Engineer has built, so that's interesting," said Village Councilwoman Laurie LaPlante. “We always wanted to redo the bridge, so we were happy when the Sanitary Engineer took on the responsibility to get it replaced."
When the sanitary line was compromised, and with the bridge damage, it was shut down and work immediately began on fixing the sewer line. A temporary line was built and the original 24-inch pipe was replaced with a 36-inch pipe.
LaPlante said the county commissioners approved the bridge replacement, and she said Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer Bernie Petro informed her the project would be paid for by the last of the American Rescue Plan funds. The project was estimated at $900,000.
The new walk bridge was delivered this week in two sections. The sections were joined together and the new bridge was set in place Thursday. LaPlante said it will be completed and should open at the end of the month or beginning of December.
The bridge connects Poland Manor with the middle school athletic field, making it a busy route to school for many students.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Poland Mayor Tim Sicafuse put out a notice this week regarding proposed Safe Routes to School improvements in the village. ODOT is planning to improve sidewalks and street crossings.
According to the mayor's news release, the proposed improvements include approximately 2,500 feet of new sidewalk along College Street, Michigan Avenue and Ohio Avenue, along with pedestrian safety upgrades at 12 intersections. These upgrades include more visible crosswalk markings, new or replacement curb ramps, pedestrian countdown signals and push buttons at South Main Street and Nesbitt Street, and pedestrian-activated flashing lights at College Street and Lee Street.
The project is scheduled to begin in 2027 and is estimated to take about a year to complete. Project cost is estimated at $500,000 and will be fully funded through ODOT's Safe Routes to School program.
"The village is seeking public comments regarding the proposed project," Sicafuse said in the release. "Issues to comment on may include social, environmental and economic impacts."
More information on the project is available at https://polandvillage.org/home/Safer-Routes-to-School. Individuals may also contact the Mayor at: email: tsicafuse@polandvillage.org, call: 330-757-2112, or by mail: 308 S. Main St., Poland, OH 44514. Comments are requested by Dec. 13, 2026.
In the meantime, Poland Village and the Forest Board are looking into what the real name of Graffiti Bridge actually is. Nothing concrete has been found as yet.
"I've heard it called Stoner Bridge and Poland Manor Bridge," LaPlante said.
She said it also has been called Manor Bridge, Burnout Bridge, Smoking Bridge and The Bridge.