Congestion options take many routes

Sidewalks and bicycle lanes are among suggestions.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Tired of waiting in traffic at Market Street and U.S. Route 224?
A north-south bridge on Market Street over U.S. 224 is among the many options suggested to alleviate traffic congestion on U.S. 224 between Interstate 680 and state Route 11.
A citizens' stakeholders group met Wednesday at the township building. Another round of meetings with business and government stakeholders is planned before a general public meeting is scheduled.
Boardman Trustees Robyn Gallitto and Kathy Miller hosted the meeting, led by Bill Barlow, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments transportation systems manager, and Kathleen Rodi, Eastgate's director of transportation.
A $1 million study by URS Consultants of Akron, funded by Ohio Department of Transportation and Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is centered on alleviating traffic on one of the Mahoning Valley's busiest roads.
W. Cary Weatherhead, URS senior transportation planner, was also present at Wednesday's meeting to gather input from the stakeholders.
When it began
The study began in 2004, and information gathering of broad ideas is expected to continue, with detailed plans to come much later, officials said.
Rodi said projects that can be completed in a short time and have the most impact would be completed first.
Planned along U.S. 224 for 2009, for example, are traffic signal upgrades and a right turn lane at the Shops at Boardman Park, two sets of dual left-turn lanes at state Route 626, widening of Tippecanoe, to add right turn movement, and dual left turns at South Avenue.
Barlow led discussion and directed stakeholders to highlight areas of concern and make notes on a map of the area. His focus was improving traffic flow on neighborhood streets that parallel U.S. 224, to give residents alternatives to U.S. 224 travel.
Some stakeholders said more sidewalks are needed along 224, including pedestrian access to Boardman Park. Others said some provision is needed for bicycle riders who use U.S. 224 for access to bicycle trails.