HOWLAND Public meeting set to review study of traffic problems around mall

More than $7 million is available for future improvements.
HOWLAND -- Initial work on an $800,000 study to reduce traffic congestion around Eastwood Mall will be presented to the public at a meeting Feb. 26 in the Howland Middle School cafeteria.
Information to be presented is expected to include possible new configurations for the interchange of state Route 82 and 46, said Kathleen Rodi, director of transportation for the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.
The meeting, at 4 p.m., is to allow the public to comment on traffic problems in the area. A question-and-answer period will begin at 7 p.m.
The study will not be completed for several years, Rodi said.
Study expanded
The Akron engineering firm Burgess & amp; Niple was hired to start the U.S. Route 422 traffic study in 2000, but the scope has since been expanded to include Howland Corners and state Route 82 between North Road and state Route 11, she said.
That section of 82 was the site of several accidents last summer.
Eastgate is paying for the study with funds from the Federal government. The agency has programmed $7.4 million for road improvements in the area being studied.
Work may be done to improve the intersection of Howland-Wilson Road and state Route 82 before the corridor study is complete, Rodi said.