43
ODOT reworking road, routes in Mahoning, Trumbull counties
AUSTINTOWN
Ohio Department of Transportation crews recently closed six ramps on Interstate 80 from Austintown to Girard, causing traffic congestion in the township.
According to the ODOT website, the construction is part of a $91.2 million project to widen I-80 between state Route 46 and state Route 193 (Belmont Avenue) in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
The project will add one lane of traffic in each direction on I-80.
Ken Carano, Austintown trustee chairman, said although the ramp closures and construction is an irritant, he thinks most residents are accepting the repair process.
“We have gone through such a horrendous winter, and roads have been so unbelievably bad, people are welcoming the roads being worked on,” he said. “Everyone’s just got to be patient.”
Brent Kovacs, ODOT public information officer, said the first two weeks of any big project are always the worst, but traffic congestion is never unexpected.
“This is a huge project, and it’s very exciting for the area,” he said. “It is a heavily congested area, but it will be very clean when it’s done.”
Carano said Mahoning Avenue and Route 46 get busy from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
“The roads are just bumper to bumper,” he said. “My suggestion is to avoid those particular times.”
Carano and Kovacs agree the key is to expect the congestion and allow extra time to get to your destination.
Capt. Bryan Kloss of the police department said another alternative is to figure out different routes. He suggested using Norquest Boulevard as an alternative to the provided detour going west toward Mahoning.
In addition, he expects crews will soon complete a gas-line replacement on the east end of the township on Mahoning, which should alleviate some congestion, as well.
“It’s just business as usual with a lot more traffic,” Kloss said.
Carano said he wishes the process of scheduling construction such as this was more centralized among state, county and local governments.
Kovacs said, however, Girard and township officials are involved in the planning phases, and representatives of those political subdivisions can have concerns addressed during public meetings.
For further information on the road work and traffic updates, visit ohgo.com.