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MANSFIELD — A planned Main Street Corridor Improvement Plan in Mansfield could receive $2 million in federal infrastructure improvement funds, according to U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson.

The Republican from Zanesville updated local officials about the legislative effort on Thursday during a visit to Downtown Mansfield, Inc., a stop that included a quick walking tour of a section of Main Street scheduled for revitalization.

Balderson said the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the project as part of a larger package, which has now moved into the Senate.

The second-term congressman said a final decision is expected by September. The project is in keeping with the goals expressed in the 2019 Mansfield Rising Downtown Reinvestment Plan.

"We're keeping a close eye on it. We're watching it every single day. We're going to keep praying and hopefully in September we have answers and we have a great infrastructure bill and we can deal with roads (and) bridges projects," Balderson said.

The $8.5 million local project, which is in the midst of a two-year engineering and design phase for work from First Street to Fifth Street, would receive federal funds through the surface transportation authorization. It's funded directly from the Highway Trust Fund and does not require a separate or subsequent appropriation, according to the congressman's website.

It's one of only six projects in Balderson's 12th District for which he sought funding.

He met with a group that included Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development President & CEO Jodie Perry, Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, Mansfield city engineer Bob Bianchi, Richland County Regional Planning Executive Director Jotika Shetty and DMI CEO Jennifer Kime.