Precautions to delay repaving

Consultants are examining the Lowellville and Stymie road section.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- A portion of U.S. Route 224 will be resurfaced later than the rest because of a long-ago chemical spill.
Route 224 from Riverside Drive to the Pennsylvania line is being resurfaced, and Route 224 and Struthers Road have been closed where the two roads intersect since early August. Those closures are expected to continue until late this month.
Though the length of the road has been prepared for resurfacing, the section between Lowellville and Stymie roads hasn't.
That section is the location of a chemical spill that occurred many years ago, said Maureen Bachman, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 4. ODOT wasn't involved in that incident.
"We have consultants looking at the area now," she said. "We want to make sure we take every precaution we can to protect that area."
But that section in question will be resurfaced, Bachman added.
What's planned
Crews may initially use a cold process for the work. Resurfacing usually involves a process using heat. That cold application may be a temporary measure.
The project is set to be completed in late fall, but work on the section from Lowellville Road to Stymie Road could extend that date, Bachman said.
"We want to make sure we take every precaution necessary so that there are no negative environmental impacts to that area," she said.
Besides the resurfacing, the project includes reconstruction of the Struthers and Clingan Road intersections. Reconstruction involves adding left-turn lanes at Clingan at all four intersection approaches and upgrading the traffic signal.
At Struthers Road, sight distance will be improved by cutting down the hill, and overhead flashers will be installed.
Shelly & amp; Sands Inc. of Girard is the contractor for the nearly $3 million project.
Lane restrictions occur on Route 224 from Old Stone Crossing to Shawbutte Street and on Clingan Road north of Route 224 until October.
ODOT's posted detour for Route 224 is state Route 551 to U.S. Route 422 to state Route 616. For Struthers Road, ODOT recommends Dobbins Road to Clingan Road.