ODOT to accelerate work at I-680, U.S. 224

POLAND

Ohio Department of Transportation representatives told Poland Village Council and residents Tuesday that improvement work on U.S. Route 224 is being accelerated because of the heavy traffic backups into Poland.

“People making left turns is causing the backup,” said Joe Alfano, project engineer for ODOT.

To alleviate that traffic, work is being increased on the Interstate 680 northbound entrance ramp. The ramp is expected to open by the end of this month or the first of September.

Westbound drivers wanting to enter I-680 northbound often have to wait to turn in front of eastbound traffic, causing backups into Poland.

Last Thursday, ODOT shut down the ramp from I-680 northbound onto Route 224.

The $5.4 million project that began in July is expected to be completed by October 2014. ODOT will be making changes to the Route 224 and I-680 interchange, widening the bridge over I-680 and replacing a culvert on 224 east of I-680.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.