State plans public meetings on bridge repairs, 224 study

Alternatives to deal with U.S. Route 224 congestion will be unveiled.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will host public meetings on bridge repairs in Canfield and Austintown, and on a U.S. Route 224 corridor study.
The bridge meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m. May 23 at the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments offices, 5121 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.
The $8.2 million bridge project is set to begin in fall of 2007. Bridges affected are those on Western Reserve, Kirk and New roads and Mahoning Avenue, all over state Route 11. The Mahoning Avenue bridge also will be widened to include a turn lane.
Several of the bridges will be closed, and traffic will be detoured. The project is expected to be finished in fall 2009.
At the public meeting, plans and maps of the proposed improvements, detours, traffic maintenance and environmental documentation will be on display. ODOT representatives and design consultants will be available for questions.
The Route 224 meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. May 17 at the Boardman administrative building, 8299 Market St.
ODOT will present alternatives to address traffic safety problems and congestion on the road in Poland, Boardman and Canfield.
The alternatives are a result of a study that got under way in November 2004. ODOT wants public input on the alternatives for the study's final phase.
Comments regarding the bridge projects or the 224 study can be submitted during the meetings, or by mail to Mohamed Darwish, P.E., District Four deputy director, Ohio Department of Transportation, 2088 S. Arlington Road, Akron, Ohio, Attention, Jack Noble, P.E., District Four Planning and Programs administrator.