CANFIELD Closed intersection spurs speed patrols

The Canfield Fair board will discuss how the closing could affect fair traffic.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The Mahoning County Sheriff's Department said it's keeping an eye out for speeders on roads around the closed intersection of Shields and Raccoon roads.
Maj. Michael Budd said a deputy was assigned to patrol the area after the department was inundated with calls from residents concerned about speeding cars.
Depending on which direction motorists are traveling, detours around the closed intersection take drivers from Shields and Raccoon roads to North Broad Street in Canfield and U.S. Route 224 or Lockwood and Arden boulevards in Boardman and Canfield Road.
The Ohio Department of Transportation closed the intersection Monday to install a new traffic signal and to add left turn lanes to Shields and Raccoon roads.
ODOT spokeswoman Jennifer Richmond said local law enforcement, and not the state, is responsible for enforcing the speed limit in the area. Richmond noted that the state can install additional signs warning drivers that the intersection is closed or directing them to detours if local officials think the signs are needed.
"It usually takes people a week or so to adjust [to the detours]," she said.
Improving safety
Richmond added that the goal of the $692,000 project is to improve traffic flow and safety in the intersection. Twelve accidents were reported at the intersection between 1999-2002, Richmond said.
Canfield Fire Chief Robert Tieche said the closing would not affect response time for firetrucks from station No. 2, just east of the intersection on Messerly Road.
The trucks will use Mission Hills Drive as a detour.
Tieche added that the Austintown and Boardman fire departments can be called for help if the closing slows trucks from station No. 1 responding as back-up. No. 1 is on Lisbon Street.
Richmond noted that ODOT hopes to reopen the intersection before the Canfield Fair, which will be Aug. 28-Sept. 1.
Fair Manager Bev Fisher said she didn't know until Monday night that the intersection was going to be closed.
She said the fair board is expected to meet this week and discuss how fair traffic will be affected if the intersection is closed at fair time.
hill@vindy.com