ODOT Urges Caution When Traveling for Holiday

Although summer is winding down, the Ohio Department of Transportation’s construction season is still in full swing. During this Labor Day weekend, ODOT safety experts remind motorists to leave distance between vehicles, reduce speed, and stay alert - especially in work zones.

Over the 2009 Friday-through-Monday Labor Day weekend, there were 2,742 crashes on Ohio’s roadways, resulting in 1,272 injuries and 20 fatalities. An ODOT safety analysis shows that drivers tailgating or following too close to the vehicles ahead of them contributed to most of those crashes. Losing control of the vehicle and not following traffic laws, such as yielding and stopping at intersections, were also leading contributors.

In addition, last year’s Labor Day weekend saw 115 motorcycle crashes, including 101 injuries and eight fatalities. The leading cause of motorcycle crashes was not yielding at intersections.

Even though physical work is suspended in most construction zones over the holiday weekend, motorists should plan alternate routes or allow additional travel time to avoid work zone congestion, delays or more serious highway incidents. Up-to-date traffic information can be found 24 hours a day at www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.

Here’s a list of notable highway construction projects that could impact end-of–summer travel:

Northern Ohio
State Route 21, Wayne County
SR 21, between the Stark County line and Eastern Rd., is restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction as part of a resurfacing project. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. 

Interstate 76, Medina County
I-76, between SR 57 and SR 3, is restricted to one lane of traffic as part of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act rehabilitation project. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. 

Northeastern Ohio
Interstate 90, Ashtabula County
A crossover condition has been implemented on I-90 between SR 11 and SR 193 in which one westbound lane and two eastbound lanes are traveling on the eastbound side of I-90. One westbound lane will continue to travel on the westbound side.  Plymouth Ridge Rd. over I-90 is closed through late October for bridge work. A detour is posted.

Interstate 77, Cuyahoga County
A lane addition project on I-77 between Oakes Road and Rockside Rd. is underway. Traffic is maintained utilizing temporary pavement and lane shifts. 

Interstate 90, Lake County
Due to construction, I-90 traffic is maintained with two lanes in each direction utilizing temporary crossovers. The entire project reconstructs pavement on I-90 between Paine Rd. and the Ashtabula County line.

State Route 2, Lake County
Several projects along SR 2 are currently underway, including lane addition and resurfacing operations, between SR 91 and U.S. 20. SR 2 traffic is being maintained during construction; however, numerous entrance and exit ramps along the route remain closed. Detours are posted. 

Northwestern Ohio
Interstate 475, Lucas County
Expect lane restrictions in both directions on I-475, from I-75 to Monroe St. for widening and reconstruction.   Ramp closures include Monroe St. and Kelly/Upton Ave. to eastbound I- 475, North Cove Blvd. to westbound I-475, and the ramp from eastbound I-475 to Jeep Pkwy.  Detours are posted. 

Interstate 75, Lucas and Wood Counties
I-75, from Wales Rd. to Erie St., is reduced to two lanes in each direction for bridge repair. Ramp closures include Wales Rd., Miami St. (SR 65), and South Ave.

Central Ohio
State Route 315, Franklin County
All southbound SR 315 lanes, entrance ramps and exit ramps were reopened to traffic on Aug. 23. SR 315 northbound is still restricted between I-670 and North Broadway. The following entrance ramps to SR 315 are closed: I-670 east to SR 315 north, Goodale Blvd. to SR 315 north, and Olentangy River Rd. to SR 315 north. The speed in the construction zone is 45 mph.

Interstate 270, Franklin County
Two lanes of traffic along I-270 on Columbus’ south side are shifted to the shoulder and right lane in both directions over the Scioto River for a bridge improvement and widening project. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph in the work zone area.

Eastern Ohio
Interstate 77, Guernsey County
Work on I-77 just south of the SR 313 interchange in Guernsey County is on-going to improve the bridge structure. Traffic traveling on I-77 is restricted to one lane northbound and southbound at approximately the 37.5 mile marker, near the Guernsey-Noble county line. 

Interstate 70, Belmont County
Five-mile major upgrade of I-70, stretching 2.5 miles on each side of exit 208. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions at all times. The eastbound and westbound rest areas and Travel Information Center at exit 210 are closed. ODOT's Appalachian Gateway Travel Information Center has been temporarily relocated to the I-70 eastbound rest area at exit 189 near Old Washington in Guernsey County.

Western Ohio
Interstate 70, Clark County
I-70 between SR 72 and U.S. 40 is undergoing a lane addition.  Motorists will encounter construction zones in both directions. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction.

Southern Ohio
State Route 32, Jackson County
SR 32 is reduced to one lane between the Jackson-Pike county line and TR 259 (Cutlip Rd.), approximately 2.5 miles east of the Jackson corporation limit. A 12-foot width restriction and reduced speed limit are in effect on mainline SR 32; however, a 10-foot width restriction will be in effect on the ramp from SR 32 east to U.S. 35 east. In addition, the ramp from U.S. 35 west to SR 32 is closed for bridge repair; traffic is being detoured via U.S. 35 to the SR 93 exit to SR 32.

U.S. Route 50/33, Athens County
U.S. 50, from the U.S. 50 / U.S. 33 intersection to East State St., is reduced to one lane each direction to allow for a pavement modernization project.  The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph.

Southeastern Ohio
State Route 7, Washington County
Northbound SR 7 traffic (just north of Jefferson St.) will be diverted onto southbound SR 7, creating a bi-directional traffic pattern. Northbound SR 7 traffic will be diverted back onto SR 7 northbound just after the Duck Creek Bridge.

Southwestern Ohio
Interstate 75, Montgomery County
I-75 from Main St. to Stanley Ave. and from Edwin C. Moses Blvd. to Fifth St. has construction zones due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction.

Interstate 75, Warren County
Major reconstruction of north and southbound I-75 from SR 122 to the Warren/Montgomery county line. Work includes the rehabilitation and addition of a lane in each direction of I-75 through the project length. Three reduced-width lanes of traffic on northbound I-75 are being maintained. To accommodate bridge replacement work Pennyroyal Rd. over I-75 is closed to traffic with detour posted.