ODOT unveils plans for record construction season in Youngstown, surrounding counties
Warmer weather means it’s the busiest season for the Ohio Department of Transportation.
This year ODOT announced a record $2.5 billion would go toward completing 1,000 restoration and construction projects across the state.
“These investments are made possible by hard-working Ohioans who use these roads and bridges every day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and family vacations. It is our duty to ensure the resources entrusted to us are used wisely,” said ODOT director Jack Marchbanks.
Marchbanks says this particular construction season isn’t all about building new roads and bridges.
There are a few new projects in each district. Still, a large portion of funds will go toward repairing “5,700 miles of pavement” on existing roadways across the state.
“There is no better place to be than right here in Ohio, and these new projects will help us keep our infrastructure in a good state of repair,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Everyone in our state benefits from safe roads, and I am looking forward to seeing the end results of this year’s roadway improvement projects.”
Upcoming construction projects in Mahoning County
In Mahoning County, a full resurfacing of state Route 165 and state Route 534 is set to start this spring.
ODOT allocated $3 million for resurfacing here that is expected to be completed by this summer.
More crews will be resurfacing, repairing nine bridges and fixing lights on Interstate 680 later this summer in Youngstown and Boardman Township.
“This project will resurface Interstate 680 between Gibson St to just south of U.S. 224. It is set to start in fall of 2023 and will continue through late 2024,” said Ray Marsh, ODOT Public Information Officer for District 4 which covers Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
This project is part of a $9 million project. Occasional lane restrictions will run under Four Mile Run Road through late December.
Check here for active construction projects and traffic updates in Mahoning County.
Trumbull County projects coming soon
Part of an intersection on U.S. Route 62 will be closed for 90 days while crews work this spring.
Crews will work to improve Bedford Road, part of U.S. Route 62, where it meets Broadway Avenue in Brookfield Township, by adding a restricted crossing U-turn and a right in/right out sign here.
“This safety project will construct the first restricted crossing u-turn (RCUT) in Trumbull County,” Marsh said. “From 2014 to 2018, there were 16 crashes at the intersection of Bedford Road and U.S. 62. Of those, one crash in 2018 resulted in a fatality, ten were injury crashes, and five were property damage only crashes. Over the same five year period at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and U.S. 62, there were 13 total crashes, including four injury crashes and nine property damage only crashes. This project is to improve safety in the area by creating a restricted crossing U-turn intersection.”
Avoid traveling on Bedford Road, Elm Street, and Broadway, which will all be closed for 90 days. This project cost $1.9 million and is expected to be completed by the fall.
Another project in Trumbull County isn’t expected to begin until the spring of 2025, but will improve a significant intersection on state Route 46.
ODOT crews will work to improve safety and pedestrian access at the Warren-Sharon Road intersection in Howland Township. The $5.3 million project will end in the fall of 2025, according to ODOT.
Click here for active construction projects and traffic updates in Trumbull County.
Columbiana County projects coming soon
There are 11 projects underway in Columbiana County, part of ODOT District 11.
“District 11 has 85 total projects, investing $138 million into eastern Ohio roads,” said Lauren Borell, ODOT Public Information Officer for District 11. “These are capital projects that are completed by contractors; our construction team oversees the projects from start to finish which includes project engineers and inspectors. We are continuing to hire employees throughout our various departments, we do not foresee any issues with staffing that would affect the delivery of our capital projects.”
Officials want to preserve the West Ninth Street bridge in East Liverpool which crosses over U.S. Route 30. They plan to replace the bridge’s primary structure and maintain a vandal protection fence.
The project, which ODOT wrote will impact the current natural habitat for some animals and require a new right of way, is still in development but expected to begin in the spring of 2025.
According to ODOT, another Columbiana County bridge could use some reparations. Crews will start working on the Market Street bridge in Lisbon that goes over the Middle Fork Little Beaver Creek next spring.
It’ll cost almost $2 million to complete by the fall of 2024.
Click here for active construction projects and traffic updates in Columbiana County.
Move Over Law: Safety in work zones.
While you’re driving through work zones in the Mahoning Valley, pay extra attention.
According to Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,628 work zone-related crashes in Ohio; 21 were deadly, resulting in 23 deaths and 85 serious injuries.
ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning wants drivers to be more aware.
Data shows most crashes in work zones happen in June on Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m.
“Pay attention. Obey the speed limit and follow the signs in the work zones. When you see workers on the road, give them room to work. Move over for roadside workers. If you cannot safely do so, slow down. Everyone wants to get home safe at the end of the day,” said Bruning. “Our focus is always on making sure drivers know about the Move Over law and are driving safely in our work zones. Penalties only come into play after a crash has occurred and we don’t want that to happen in the first place.”
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