ROUTE 224 Bridge closing snarls traffic

With Shields Road blocked, gridlock prevails on U.S. Route 224.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- To avoid traffic congestion on U.S. Route 224, shop before the late-afternoon rush and consider using the Canfield Road bridge as an alternative, a township police lieutenant says.
"It was bumper-to-bumper, probably from Tippecanoe [Road] to West Boulevard," from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., forcing motorists to slow to less than 5 mph, Lt. Vince DeLuco said Monday evening.
It likely took westbound motorists 20 minutes to get from West Boulevard to Tippecanoe Road, he estimated.
The traffic jam was caused in part by Monday's closing of the Shields Road bridge over Mill Creek, which will remain closed for 90 days while it is replaced.
Western Reserve Road is also closed in both directions for construction between Hitchcock and Tippecanoe roads until late this month, leaving Route 224 as the only east-west route across Boardman.
Like the Supernationals
Traffic on Route 224 was at least 50 percent above normal for a Monday homebound rush period at this time of year, he said, comparing it to what the township has seen during the Hot Rod Supernationals. On Monday, "Traffic going east didn't seem to be as bad. It looked like the heavier congestion was going west," DeLuco said.
Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol can't help, because there are no alternative routes, DeLuco said.
"There's nothing that the police can do. Everything has to be governed by the traffic signals because there was just no place to filter these people," he said.
"There's just too much business and too much traffic. You can't even direct traffic anywhere. There's no place to direct them," he added. "They're just going to have to be patient, and they'll get where they're going, but it's going to take a little longer."
Those with business in the north end of the township or in Youngstown should consider using the Canfield Road bridge, DeLuco said. Motorists wishing to use this alternative can use Glenwood Avenue, Canfield Road and Arden and Lockwood boulevards.
For pedestrians
Although motorists have limited options, pedestrians and bicyclists can use four alternative footbridge crossings in Mill Creek Park between Route 224 and Canfield Road.
They are:
UA footbridge between East and West Golf drives just south of the golf course clubhouse.
UA connector trail and footbridge built last year between East and West Newport drives just north of Shields Road.
UA high-level footbridge across the gorge from Old Mill Drive to West Newport Drive.
UA low-level covered bridge at Lanterman's Mill.