U.S. Route 224 headaches begin

BOARDMAN — Businesses near the U.S. Route 224-Lockwood Boulevard intersection began to feel the early effects this week of a project to widen the busy juncture.

“Traffic today is really out of hand,” Michael Creatore of Creatore Wealth Management Group said today.

Customers will have to schedule more time to get to the office, located in the Pelican Park Plaza on Route 224, because of the traffic backups, he said.

Creatore said traffic backed up to near the Giant Eagle store midafternoon.

The $3.2 million project is to widen Tippecanoe Road and Lockwood at Route 224 and to replace the bridge on 224 just east of the intersection. Expected completion is July 2009.

Paula Putnam, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 4, said the project aims to improve safety and reduce the intersection delay.

The Route 224 west approach of the intersection will be widened to six lanes, consisting of four through-lanes — two in each direction — and dual left-turn lanes, she said.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.