Routes Reworked

By Denise Dick

More lanes to open soon on 224, ODOT says

Work on the $4.6 million project is expected to wrap up next summer.

BOARDMAN — The bad news is that orange barrels and construction at the U.S. Route 224-Tippecanoe Road-Lockwood Boulevard intersection will continue for another year.

The good news is that the Route 224 flow will increase to two lanes in each direction again early next month.

Work started in May on the $4.6 million Ohio Department of Transportation project to widen the intersection and replace the bridge on 224 just east of it. Next summer is the target completion date.

“The unofficial goal is to complete 224 this year,” said Mike Sdregas, project engineer. “Before Christmas and the shopping season, we want to have 224 completed.”

The Route 224 West approach of the intersection is being widened to six lanes, consisting of four through-lanes — two in each direction — and dual left-turn lanes.

The 224 East approach will remain six lanes: two through-lanes in each direction, a left-turn lane and a dedicated right-turn lane.

The Lockwood north approach is being widened to six lanes: two northbound through-lanes, one southbound through-lane, dual left-turn lanes and a right-turn lane.

The traffic signal at the intersection also will be upgraded to accommodate the added lanes. The capacity of the intersection will be increased by lengthening the turning lanes on all four approaches, and the culvert on Lockwood, just north of the intersection, is being extended.

“We are on schedule,” Sdregas said.

Work has proceeded without problems, he said, adding that many people have likely found alternate routes to avoid the construction zone.

Crews will be completing the bridge replacement and work on the northern portion of U.S. 224 at the intersection over the next few weeks, and that is expected to ease congestion.

When work is completed on the north section, traffic will shift to that new portion while work proceeds on the intersection’s southern side of Route 224.

“Right now, we have two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane,” said Justin Chesnic, an ODOT District 4 spokesman. “Within a couple of weeks, Route 224 will return to two lanes in each direction. It’s going to get much better by the early part of August.”

While work north of the intersection wraps up, crews will do much of the work during one or two nights over the next few weeks.

There may be an increase for Tippecanoe travelers waiting at the intersection while paving work occurs, but it won’t cause any additional lane restrictions.

“It will be the same amount of lanes, just a different location,” Sdregas said.