ODOT plans $17 million project for SR 164 in Beaver Township
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.
The second and third phases are not yet funded.
ODOT has applied for funds through the Transportation Review Advisory Council for phase two, which will cost about $6 million.
Construction of the interchanges would take place in 2017 and 2018.
District 4 is working to secure $1.5 million from the Ohio Turnpike Commission to replace and widen the Route 164 bridge over the turnpike, and $5 million in ODOT safety funding for construction of the roundabout.
That phase is slated to begin in 2019, if funding is secured.
The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments also has committed more than $2 million for the project for costs such as engineering and acquiring rights of way, said Kathleen Rodi, Eastgate director of transportation.
“By phasing the projects the way they have, it’s going to be very beneficial for the area,” Rodi said.
Chesnic said District 4 is undertaking the project because “we consider this our second-most congested area of Mahoning County.”
About 14,000 vehicles travel on Route 164 between I-680 and Western Reserve Road each day, Chesnic said. He added the proposed changes would make that number drop to about 2,000 or 3,000 vehicles per day.
The final day for the public to submit comments to ODOT about the project is Oct. 31.
Comments can be submitted to Edward W. Deley Jr., District 4 Environmental Coordinator, Ohio Department of Transportation, 2088 S. Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44306.