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Route 224 construction in progress at I-680
By kalea hall
boardman
Construction on U.S. Route 224 by the Ohio Department of Transportation began again this week for the widening of the bridge over Interstate 680.
The widening includes a new lane in each direction and will include some lane closures and, in the future, some I-680 ramp closures.
This is “just to improve the safety and increase the ease of the flow of traffic,” said Brent Kovacs, ODOT District 4 spokesman.
This is considered the second phase of a $5.8 million, two-year project that is expected to be completed in October.
In addition to the bridge replacement, crews replaced a culvert on Route 224 east of I-680 and created a T-intersection for drivers getting off I-680 southbound and trying to cross over multiple lanes of Route 224 traffic.
Kovacs said he has heard no feedback after the implementation of traffic lights, but the department will study traffic accidents to see if they have decreased.
The purpose of the intersection was to alleviate traffic concerns in that area. From 2005 to 2007, there were about 50 accidents reported near that exit.
The traffic lights for 224 westbound traffic and 680 southbound traffic are covered for the construction process. Traffic off the interstate is expected to yield to oncoming traffic. The 680 southbound exit will be closed sometime in July.
Construction will begin first on the westbound side of the bridge and will include both tearing down and adding on, Kovacs said.
The westbound side will be worked on until July, and then, the construction will switch to the eastbound. Each direction of traffic will be narrowed to one lane, but in the future, after completion of the project, there will be three lanes.
There will be a concrete barrier in place throughout the construction process for safety, Kovacs said.
The Route 224 project became a concern for motorists and law enforcement last year with backed-up lanes of traffic and cars in intersections.
“Give yourself more time,” Kovacs advises motorists.