Stakeholder, public input result in changes to ODOT U.S. Route 224 Safety Project

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is taking steps to improve safety along U.S. Route 224 in Boardman Township, Mahoning County, from State Route 7 (Market Street) to Tiffany Boulevard, a distance of 1.70 miles.

The recommended alternative includes:

Adding eastbound and westbound through lanes. Adding dedicated left and right turn lanes at intersections throughout the corridor as determined by the capacity analysis. Removing signals at two intersections. Reducing the number of unsignalized driveways along the corridor. Limiting left-turning movements. Adding improved pedestrian facilities throughout the project limits.

Stakeholder involvement was conducted in August of 2023. Feedback was received from several participants during the period and meetings were held with affected stakeholders to discuss proposed project impacts.

Following the stakeholder involvement period, a virtual public open house was held from January 29, 2024, through March 1, 2024, to share project information with the community and gather additional local input to assist in project decision-making.

A total of 53 participants provided comments during the public comment period for the virtual open house. Stakeholder and public comments received have been summarized and responses have been posted to the ODOT project webpage.

As a result of the stakeholder and public involvement conducted for the project, ODOT plans to implement the following project changes:

Market Street (SR 7) to Marinthana Avenue

Install channelizing device in the center of U.S. Route 224 in lieu of proposed concrete median to allow for eastbound left turns into Sheldon Avenue and Marinthana Avenue. Convert Sheldon Avenue and Marinthana Avenue to all-in/right-out only movements. Remove proposed eastbound U-turn and loon at Marinthana Avenue.

Southern Boulevard to Boardman Park

Allow a protected westbound left-turn phase and passenger car U-turn at U.S. Route 224/Southern Boulevard intersection to accommodate Tanglewood Drive and the north side properties. Install channelizing device in the center of U.S. Route 224 between Southern Boulevard and Tanglewood Drive. Convert Tanglewood Drive to all-in/right-out only movements.

Shops at Boardman Park

Retain traffic signal at Applewood Commons. Remove proposed westbound U-turn at U.S. Route 224/Shops West drive. Remove proposed eastbound U-turn at U.S. Route 224/Shops East/Applewood Boulevard; restripe south approach for left, thru/right and update lane use signing; add protected/permissive northbound left turn phase to the traffic signal.

South Ave to Tiffany Blvd

Remove proposed eastbound U-turn at South Avenue. Install channelizing device in the center of U.S. Route 224 in lieu of proposed concrete median. Curb ramps are proposed on the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection with Tiffany Boulevard, with pedestrian signal heads and crosswalk across the west approach of US 224.

The state said the public participation in the project was solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

The Ohio Department of Transportation stated it is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.