Residents weigh in on SR 164 upgrade at public meeting

NORTH LIMA

Local residents and business owners had the chance to weigh in on the planned Ohio Department of Transportation project for state Route 164 in Beaver Township at a public meeting Thursday.

The project will unfold in three phases: The first phase will be to replace and widen the Route 164 bridge over Interstate 680; the second phase will be to construct interchange ramps between Route 164 and I-680; and the third phase will be to replace the Route 164 bridge over the Ohio Turnpike and to construct a roundabout where 164 intersects with state Route 626.

The project’s total estimated cost is $17.5 million.

“I wish they would have done this 10 years ago,” said Victoria “Rusty” Wiery, who has a business in North Lima. “But I think it’s going to be beneficial in the long run, big time.”

The first phase, which will cost $5 million, will be paid for with ODOT District 4 funds. Construction will begin as soon as ODOT completes a replacement and widening project on the Western Reserve Road bridge over I-680 that will take place in the spring and summer next year.

Justin Chesnic, ODOT District 4 spokesman, said the Route 164 bridge project likely will begin late next summer or early next fall and continue into 2016.

Read the complete story in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.