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Completion of Route 224-Interstate 680 project delayed
BOARDMAN
Completion of bridge work on U.S. Route 224 over Interstate 680 has been delayed until the end of next week, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The project was slated to be finished by Friday, but completion has been delayed due to weather, ODOT District 4 spokesman Brent Kovacs said.
The project now is scheduled to be complete, with no more lane closures, by Friday, Kovacs said.
The bridge lanes reopened, and restrictions to exit and entrance ramps were removed at the end of September, but temporary lane closures on 224 between Tiffany Boulevard and 680 have continued for items such as paving and electrical work.
Installing guardrails, pavement reflectors and right-of-way fencing remains to be done, Kovacs said.
The $5.4 million ODOT project began in July 2013. It included widening the bridge and changes to the off- and on-ramps.
Now, there is a new lane in each direction on the bridge. And there is a traffic light and dual right-turn lane where 680 southbound exits to 224 westbound.
Previously, motorists exiting 680 southbound to 224 westbound had to merge into traffic.
The 680 southbound off-ramp to 224 westbound was moved 350 feet east, and a right-turn entrance lane from 224 westbound to 680 northbound was added. A right-turn lane entrance also was constructed from 224 to Tiffany Boulevard.
Alleviating traffic congestion and improving safety were the goals of the project, according to ODOT.
Poland and Boardman government officials, as well as local businesses, expressed relief after the bridge lanes reopened, saying traffic already was flowing better in the area.