EASTER HOLIDAY TRAFFIC UPDATE

 

COLUMBUS (March 20, 2008) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) knows this Easter holiday will be a busy time for the state’s roads and highways. In addition to the start of the highway construction season, the Easter weekend also marks the beginning of spring break for many schools. Routes leading to popular vacation destinations may see significantly heavy traffic volumes.

Holiday motorists should also be aware that recent heavy rains have caused flooding in parts of the state, resulting in unexpected road closures and restrictions along the state’s rural highway system.

ODOT reminds motorists that with construction zones, traffic congestion, and possible road closures due to flooding or accidents, travel conditions can change from mile to mile, minute to minute. Before leaving home, find out the latest driving conditions by logging on to www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Where possible, ODOT opens additional lanes of traffic and requires contractors to maintain at least two lanes of traffic in each direction on Ohio’s interstates. To aid motorists, ODOT is providing this comprehensive list of major state construction projects.

Select construction overview information by regions of Ohio:
|  Central | Eastern | Northeast | Northwest |
 | Southwest | Southern | Southeast | Western

U.S. Route 24, Defiance County
The reconstruction of the existing two lanes of U.S. 24 and the construction of two additional lanes to expand the route to a four-lane highway. The existing four-lane section from SR 15 to SR 66 is reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic is switched into the new westbound lanes between the U.S. 24 bypass and SR 424 to allow for construction of the new eastbound lanes. Completion date: November 2008.

U.S. Route 24, Defiance and Henry counties
Widening and reconstruction of U.S. 24 between the cities of Napoleon and Defiance. Some lane restrictions will be required, but traffic on U.S. 24 is maintained at all times. Completion date: fall 2008.

State Route 64, Wood County
SR 64 is closed at King Rd., north of Haskins, until further notice due to culvert failure. Detour is posted. Due to the nature of the project, the completion date is unknown at this time.

State Route 163, Ottawa County
Replacement of the electrical system of the SR 163 lift bridge in Port Clinton. Motorists may encounter intermittent closures of the bridge for testing of the electrical system. Work will be suspended over the holiday weekend, and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: May 22, 2008.

Interstate 280, Wood County
Bridge repair work will take place at the Pickle Rd. overpass on I-280. There will be intermittent lane restrictions on I-280 in both directions at Pickle Rd. nightly, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Pickle Rd. at I-280 will be closed. Detour is posted. Completion date: June 2008.

State Route 281, Wood County
SR 281, between SR 199 and Portage View Rd. in Wood County, is closed for bridge repair.

Detour is posted. Completion date (weather permitting): May 12, 2008.

State Route 576, Williams County
SR 576 is closed south of Montpelier, between U.S. 6 and SR 34 in Williams County due to culvert failure. Detour is posted. Due to the nature of the project, the completion date is unknown at this time. Visit this link for details: http://www.odotonline.org/detours/detour.asp?detNumber=509

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State Route 8, Summit County
Reconstruction of SR 8 from south of Twinsburg Rd. to north of the I-271 interchange. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained on SR 8 at all times. Twinsburg Rd. at SR 8 is closed, and will reopen as an underpass in late fall 2009. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Detours are posted. Completion date: summer 2010.

State Route 19, Crawford County
SR 19, one-half mile north of Albaugh Rd. in Lykens Township, is closed for an unanticipated embankment repair project. The project includes underground geotechnical work. Detour is posted. Due to the nature of the problem, a completion date cannot be given at this time. The closure will remain in place until the scope of this problem is completely understood and a solution is implemented.

U.S. Route 20, Lake County
Widening and reconstruction on U.S. 20, from the Mentor corporation line to the Painesville corporation line. One lane of traffic in each direction is maintained on U.S. 20 at all times. Permanent work zone restrictions remain in place over the holidays. Completion date: July 2008.

Interstate 77, Stark County
Widening and reconstruction on I-77 from W. Tuscarawas St. (SR 172) to 13th St. A minimum of two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-77. Completion date: June 2008.

Interstate 77, Summit County
Widening and reconstruction on I-77 from Copley Rd. (SR 162) to Cleveland-Massillon Rd. in the cities of Akron and Fairlawn, and in Bath and Copley townships. A minimum of two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-77 through construction. Completion date: fall 2008.

Interstate 80, Mahoning County
Widening the roadway and construction of new twin bridges over the Meander Reservoir on I-80, between the Ohio Turnpike and the SR 11 interchange. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended from Friday, March 21 through Monday, March 24 and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: fall 2009.

State Route 89, Ashland County
SR 89, just south of its intersection with CR 30A in the village of Jeromesville, is closed for a sanitary sewer replacement project. Detour is posted. Completion date: April 7, 2008.

Interstate 90, Lake County
Twin bridge replacements on I-90 in Leroy, Perry and Madison townships. Traffic is shifted onto the outside shoulder and low speed lanes on both east and westbound I-90 as work takes place in the high speed lanes. Two reduced-width lanes are maintained in each direction at all times. Permanent work zone restrictions remain in place over the holiday. Completion date: May 2010.

Interstate 271, Summit County
I-271 over SR 8 is reduced to one through lane and one-exit-only lane in each direction as part of the SR 8/I-271 reconstruction project. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended from Friday, March 21 through Monday, March 24 and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: summer 2010.

Interstate 271, Summit County
I-271 over the Cuyahoga River in Boston Township is reduced to one lane in each direction during off-peak hours for major reconstruction. This work is part of a $33 million project for replacing the I-271 twin bridges over the Cuyahoga River and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Completion date: fall 2009.

State Route 283, Lake County
Reconstruction of SR 283 between SR 615 (Munson Rd.) and Washington Ave. One lane of northeast traffic is maintained. Detours are posted for traffic traveling in the southwest direction. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: October 2008.

State Route 301, Lorain County
SR 301 (Abbe Rd.), just south of SR 611 (Colorado Ave.) in the village of Sheffield, is closed for a bridge replacement project. Detour is posted. Completion date: May 17, 2008.  

U.S. Route 322, Cuyahoga County
Widening and reconstruction of U.S. 322 (Mayfield Rd.) between Lander Rd. and the eastern Mayfield Heights corporation limit. Traffic is maintained throughout the project’s limits. Left turns are permitted only at signalized intersections. While permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: September 2009.

U.S. Route 422, Geauga County
Reconstruction of U.S. 422 to include four driving lanes and a center turn lane between the SR 88/SR 528 interchange and the Portage County line in Parkman and Nelson townships. Eastbound traffic is maintained. Westbound traffic will be detoured for the duration of the project. Detours are posted. Permanent work zone restrictions remain in place over the holiday. Completion date: November 2008.

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U.S. Route 35, Montgomery County
Major repair and replacement of roadway and bridges, from I-75 to just east of the current Steve Whalen Blvd. exit. Three lanes of traffic are open in the eastbound and westbound directions. Traffic is shifted on U.S. 35 westbound, where width restrictions are in place. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: June 2008.

Interstate 70/Huber Heights, Montgomery County
Work continues on I-70 from the I-70/I-75 interchange to east of the Clark County line for the reconstruction and widening of I-70. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction. Motorists should use caution and reduce their speed through this area. Expect congestion and possible delays. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, there will be no additional lane closures over the holiday. Completion date: summer 2008.

Interstate 70/Interstate 75, Montgomery County
Reconstruction continues at the I-70/I-75 interchange just north of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-70 through the interchange. I-75 is reduced to two lanes in each direction between U.S. 40 and just south of I-70. Motorists should use caution and reduce their speed through this area. Expect congestion and possible delays. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, there will be no additional lane closures over the holiday. Completion date: May 2011.

Interstate 75, Montgomery County
Phase 1A of the modernization of I-75 through downtown Dayton. Work is being performed during daylight hours from Stanley Ave. south to Main St. The posted speed limit through the work zone is 45 mph, and there are lane restrictions throughout the project. There will be no additional lane closures in effect Friday through Sunday of the holiday weekend. Completion date: June 2011.

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State Route 161, Licking County
A major expansion project on SR 161, including several road alignment changes, from east of New Albany to Newark. Traffic will be maintained on one lane of two-way traffic with temporary traffic signals and flaggers. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph. Traffic will be slowed during the holiday weekend due to the construction and to several county and township roads closed along the route. Completion date: October 2009.

Interstate 270/State Route 161, Franklin County
Major reconstruction of the SR 161 interchanges at I-270 and Sunbury Rd. on the northeast side of Columbus. Traffic patterns, ramps and signals have changed significantly. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended for the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: June 2008.

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State Route 39, Tuscarawas County
A bridge replacement and widening work on SR 39, between Renner Rd. and the I-77 interchange at Dover. Project also includes intersection improvements at SR 516. There are various types of restrictions throughout this project, but traffic will always be maintained either on one lane of two-way traffic with flaggers, or on one lane in each direction. Congestion and delays are expected, and motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. Completion date: August 2009.

State Route 152, Jefferson County
A bridge repair on SR 152 over U.S. Route 22 at the Bloomingdale Exit. One lane for two-way traffic with temporary traffic signals is being maintained. Completion date: October 2008.

State Route 152, Jefferson County
Landslide repair on SR 152 just north of TR 247 and west of the villages of Empire and Stratton.  One lane of two-way traffic will be maintained with temporary traffic signals. Completion date: June 2008.

State Route 170, Columbiana County
Reconstruction and widening from just west of CR 447 to just south of CR 430 in Calcutta. To minimize traffic delays caused by this work and inconvenience to motorists, construction on SR 170 is only taking place between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Traffic is being maintained in both directions on the route, however, motorists are advised to use an alternate route and asked to exercise caution through this area. Completion date: June 2008.

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U.S. Route 22, Warren County
The widening of U.S. 22, from Fields Ertel Rd. to the Foster Viaduct in Warren County. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained for culvert work at the intersection of U.S. 22. and the Old 3C Highway. No work is scheduled over the Easter weekend, and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: spring 2009.

State Route 32, Clermont County
Deck replacement of three structures on SR 32 in the village of Batavia, and in Union and Batavia townships over the east fork of the Little Miami River. Includes the addition of a right turn lane on eastbound SR 32 at Elick Lane. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained. Completion date: summer 2009.

U.S. Route 50, Hamilton County
Widening of U.S. 50 from just east of the Mariemont east corporation line to just east of Newtown Rd. The work includes widening the existing pavement for a center turn lane, and lengthening the right turn lane approaching Newtown Rd. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended during the Easter weekend and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: May 31, 2008.

State Route 73, Clinton County
To accommodate construction of the Wilmington Bypass, SR 73 is closed just southeast of the intersection with Airport Rd. until May 8, 2008. Traffic is not permitted to turn right from Airport Rd. onto SR 73. Detour is posted. Completion date: fall 2010.

Interstate 75, Butler and Warren counties
Major reconstruction of northbound and southbound I-75 from Cincinnati-Dayton Rd. in Butler County to SR 122 in Warren County. Work includes the rehabilitation and addition of a lane in each direction of I-75 through the project length and construction of a single point urban interchange at I-75/SR63. Overhead bridge work has closed the Millikin Rd., Bethany Rd. and Greentree Rd. bridges over I-75 with local detours posted. Completion date: fall 2011.

Interstate 275, Hamilton County
Construction of noise barriers on northbound and southbound I-275, between I-71 and Loveland-Madeira Rd. The northbound right lane of I-275 between Loveland-Madeira Rd. and Montgomery Rd. will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 21 to set noise wall posts. Completion date: fall 2008.

Interstate 275, Hamilton County
Rehabilitation of the roadway, pavement and 28 bridge structures on I-275 from just east of Winton Rd. to just east of U.S. 42. Work includes adding a fourth lane in both directions and widening the eastbound and westbound on and off ramps to Mosteller Rd. During peak travel hours, three lanes of traffic on I-275 maintained in each direction. To maintain these three lanes, ODOT is shifting one lane of eastbound traffic onto the westbound side of I-275 to create an express lane through the work zone. Tractor trailers are prohibited in this lane, and there are no exits until the lane joins with mainline I-275. During the project’s second phase, this lane carries eastbound traffic from just east of the Winton Rd. interchange to just east of U.S. 42. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: fall 2010.

State Route 727, Clermont County
Replacement of bridge at SR 727 at Stonelick State Park spillway dam. The roadway is closed through Thursday, May 8. Detour is posted. Completion date: summer 2008.

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State Route 551, Pike County
SR 551 is closed at the Pee Pee Creek Bridge in the Lake White Region, just south of SR 220, due to damage incurred by flooding. The bridge is closed until further notice, and motorists are being detoured via SR 552.

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Southeastern Ohio

U.S. Route 50, Washington County
U.S. 50, located just west of the junction of CR 26 (Federal Rd.), has been reduced to one lane in each direction to allow for the replacement of a bridge deck and approach slabs. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place for the duration of the project. Completion date (weather permitting) : September 2008.

State Route 124, Athens County
SR 124, just south of the Washington County line, is closed due to a significant slip. This is a permanent closure. SR 144 may be used as a detour until such time that a new state route is established.

State Route 339, Washington County
SR 339, located near the junction of CR 805 (near Vincent), has been reduced to one lane to allow for the replacement of a bridge deck and approach slabs. A 12'6" width restriction will be in place for the duration of the project. Completion date (weather permitting): August 31, 2008.

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Other Projects

State Route 7, Jefferson County
SR 7 in the village of Stratton is undergoing work related to an environmental control retrofit project by FirstEnergy, a private corporation. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on the northbound lanes of SR 7. Traffic will be stopped occasionally, and motorists should expect periodic delays. Completion date: June 2009.

For Further Information contact:
Your Local District Communications Office
, Public Information Officer, ODOT Office of Communications (614) 644-8650.

Or, consult ODOT's BuckeyeTraffic OTIS System