ODOT reveals highway projects

Construction in the six-county district totals more than $572 million.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AKRON -- The most expensive highway project set to begin this year in Ohio is the Interstate 80 Meander Reservoir project in Austintown.
Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 announced its slate of projects Tuesday morning at district offices here. District 4 covers Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula, Portage, Stark and Summit counties.
Mohamed Darwish, district deputy director, said the state's 2006 construction program sets a record at $1.4 billion, up from $1.3 billion last year.
This year's district construction program totals $572.4 million.
That includes the largest, the Interstate 80 project, estimated at more than $80 million, and set to begin this spring. Completion is set for fall 2009.
"We're proud of this project," Darwish said.
I-80 project
The project involves widening and reconstruction of I-80 to six lanes from the Ohio Turnpike to state Route 46. It also includes replacement and realignment of the twin bridges over Meander Creek Reservoir.
The new bridges will be wider than the structures they replace with a 10-foot shoulder on one side of each bridge and a 12-foot shoulder on the other side.
Two lanes of traffic on I-80 will be maintained in each direction throughout the project, but Lipkey, Turner and Ohltown roads will be closed for up to 60 days during the project. The Mill Creek bike path also will be closed for a short period.
Darwish said that section of I-80 sees about 100,000 vehicles and at least 15,000 trucks per day.
The project also includes a chemical spill containment system along the sides, where any chemicals spilled would drain into a ditch, and emergency crews would have a 30-minute window to contain it before it filters into the reservoir. The reservoir is the water source for about 300,000 customers of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.
Projects for 2006 in Mahoning County total $123.5 million; $31.7 million is for active projects and $91.8 is for upcoming projects.
Other projects
Other upcoming Mahoning County projects include:
State Route 46 widening and reconstruction in Austintown.
Maintenance and safety upgrades on U.S. Route 62 in Canfield and Goshen townships.
Resurfacing of U.S. Route 224 and reconstruction of two intersections at Route 224 in Poland.
Projects for 2006 in Trumbull County total $23.9 million; $12.9 million in active projects and $11 million for upcoming work.
The highest price tag for an upcoming Trumbull project is $4.2 million for rehabilitation of the Lewis-Siefert Road, Drummond and state Route 304 bridges over I-80 in Hubbard.
The project, which started in January, is set for completion in the fall.
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction on I-80 throughout the project. Each bridge will be closed for up to 45 days, weather permitting, and access will be maintained to homes and businesses throughout construction.