ODOT announces $4M in investments along Ohio Turnpike

AKRON

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced a $4 million investment in transportation improvement projects along the Ohio Turnpike over the next two years.

The investment is part of the state’s Turnpike Mitigation Program and includes $1.75 million for five projects locally in Portage, Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

“As ODOT officials travelled the northern part of Ohio discussing with local leaders how we could best leverage the Turnpike, we heard time and time again of needs that were not being met because of the mere existence of the Turnpike, and the impacts it has on surrounding local roadways,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “In response, we developed a program to award money to local communities in need of transportation-related improvements along the Turnpike.”

The Turnpike Mitigation Program was started to help fund projects within one mile of the Turnpike. The projects include bridge preservation, pavement resurfacing, noise walls, drainage repairs and other transportation improvements. Announced in December 2013, the program received 41 project funding applications, which were reviewed by a committee comprised of ODOT and Turnpike representatives.

Locally, the program will fund:

· Upgrades to Ethan Drive in Portage County, which will make possible the extension of Phillips Parkway and alleviation of commercial traffic through downtown Streetsboro

· Drainage and guardrail improvements at the Ravenna Warren Road underpass of the Turnpike in Trumbull County

· Pavement repairs and drainage improvements along Ellsworth Baily Road in Trumbull County

· Improvements to the Pebble Beach storm sewer in Mahoning County

· Pavement repairs on Mahoning Avenue in Mahoning County