With 936 work zones around the state this summer, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reminds motorists to stay alert while driving, especially this Memorial Day holiday. During all of 2013, there were 4,093 crashes in work zones in Ohio, including 1,012 injury crashes and 17 fatalities.
“The most effective way we’ve found to reduce work zone crashes is to work with law enforcement, and this year we have a better way to do just that: Ohio’s Move Over Law,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray.
Ohio’s Move Over Law is designed to protect the lives of everyone who works on or uses our roadways. It requires motorists to cautiously shift over one lane — or slow down if changing lanes is not possible — when passing any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of a road. Its purpose is to protect everyone who works on our roads and everyone who travels on them.
When driving through work zones, motorists can improve safety by following these simple tips:
Eliminate distractions – put down the cell phones
Buckle up
Drive sober
Stay alert and give driving your full attention
Follow all posted signs and obey flaggers
Don’t tailgate or speed; most crashes in work zones are rear-end collisions
Expect the unexpected
Beware that normal traffic patterns may be shifted
While construction work is suspended over the holiday, many permanent work zone restrictions remain in place. Below is a list of many of the notable highway construction projects that could impact your Memorial Day holiday travel.
A complete list of active construction projects throughout the state can be found on ODOT’s traffic website, www.ohgo.com. The site offers up-to-the-minute information and a user-friendly map showing work zone locations, traffic congestion alerts, road closures, weather conditions, and Highway Patrol accident updates; all available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
CENTRAL OHIO
Interstate 270/U.S. Route 23- North Side Fix Franklin County
Two lanes in each direction on U.S. 23 just north of I-270 between Campus View and Northwoods Blvd. Restrictions on several side streets including Campus View Blvd., Dimension Drive, High Cross Blvd. and Flint Rd. Completion Fall 2016
Interstate 71 both directions between Delaware and Morrow Counties
Two lanes in each direction so crews can complete construction on a third lane. Completion Nov. 2014
EASTERN OHIO
Interstate-70, Licking County
I-70 bridge replacement project that will require westbound traffic to shift slightly, 2 miles west of SR 79 in Licking County. I-70 westbound traffic will be shifted to the median where each of the 12-foot lanes will be separated by a permanent median barrier wall. Eastbound I-70 traffic will be maintained in a normal traffic pattern with 12-foot lanes.
U.S. Route 250, Harrison County
Two-way traffic is maintained with temporary traffic signals for two bridge projects near Tappan Lake.
State Route 16, Licking County
S.R. 16 is reduced to one lane in each direction for just over 10 miles of in Licking County from the Newark Corp. limit to the Muskingum County line. Traffic is being maintained in a minimum of one, 11-foot lane in each direction.
State Route 7, Jefferson County
SR 7 is reduced to one lane between Brilliant and Rush Run for landslide repairs.
WESTERN OHIO
Interstate 75, Montgomery County
I-75 from Third St. to Main St. is under construction due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to northbound motorists. Three lanes will be open to southbound motorists. Motorists need to stay alert, as traffic patterns are currently not in their traditional places at this location.
Interstate 75, Shelby county
I-75 between CR 25A in Piqua and SR 219 is being repaved. This area of the interstate currently has a crossover lane, moving one lane of I-75 northbound to the southbound side of the interstate. Two lanes remain open both northbound and southbound.
Interstate 70, Montgomery County
I-70 between Arlington Rd. and Number Nine Rd. is under construction. Motorists will encounter a crossover lane in this area. One lane of I-70 westbound will be shifted to I-70 eastbound so that crews can work on the interstate. The two lanes of I-70 eastbound and the shifted lane of I-70 westbound will have a restricted width of 10 feet 5 inches. The right lane of I-70 westbound will remain 12 feet in width.
Interstate 70, Clark County
I-70 between Enon Rd. and U.S. 68 is under construction due to a lane addition project. Motorists will encounter orange barrels with two lanes of traffic open both eastbound and westbound.
SOUTHERN OHIO
State Route 852, Scioto County
S.R. 852 is reduced to one lane in each direction between the Carl Perkins Bridge to Kentucky and S.R. 73/S.R. 104 North as part of a major rehabilitation project. Traffic will be maintained in a minimum of one lane in each direction at all times. The project is scheduled to be completed in late summer 2014.
State Route 32, Pike County
S.R. 32 is reduced to one lane in the westbound direction between the CSX Railroad underpass (east of Beaver Creek Road) and the Darst Road/Beaver Pike intersection. Traffic will be maintained in at least one lane in each direction, although eastbound traffic should not be affected. The project is scheduled to be completed in late spring 2014.
State Route 7, Lawrence County
S.R. 7 is reduced to one, 10-foot lane just east (north) of its junction with S.R. 527 at Chesapeake and west of C.R. 32 (Eaton Road) for a slide repair, as well as at the Indian Guyan Creek Bridge, just west of Proctorville, for a bridge replacement project. Traffic will be maintained in one lane at each location with temporary traffic signals. The slide repair project is scheduled to be completed in early summer, and the bridge replacement is scheduled to be completed by late fall 2014.
SOUTHEASTERN OHIO
U.S. Route 33, Hocking County
U.S. 33, located just north of the SR 328 interchange, will be reduced to one lane in each direction to allow for the removal of an overpass over the abandoned railroad. Once the bridge is removed, embankment will be built up to the existing roadway and repaved. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph within the work zone. There will be a 14.5-foot width restriction in place during the project. Weather permitting the road will reopen to two lanes in each direction on Sept. 27, 2014.
State Route 7, Washington County
Beginning Monday, May 19, 2014, SR 7, located about one mile north of New Matamoras, will be restricted to one lane to allow for a landslide repair project. Traffic will be maintained by a temporary traffic signal. Weather permitting both lanes will reopen on Sept. 1, 2014.
SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
Interstate 675, Greene County
Four-lane resurfacing of 5.5 miles of Interstate 675 and all ramps within the project limits. One lane of southbound I-675 traffic is being maintained on the northbound side of I-675. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.
Interstate 275, Hamilton County
Repair and reconstruction of 5.5 miles of I-275 between the I-74 interchange and Colerain Rd. exit. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.
Interstate 75, Hamilton County
Reconstruction of I-75 between the Hopple St. and Mitchell Ave. exits. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.
U.S. Route 42, Warren County
Pavement reconstruction of the four-lane section of U.S. 42 in Warren and Greene counties. One 11-foot lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained on southbound U.S. 42 to accommodate construction on northbound U.S. 42.
NORTHERN OHIO
Interstate 90/State Route 611, Lorain County
I-90, at its interchange with SR 611 (mile marker 151) in the city of Avon, is restricted to two narrowed lanes of traffic in each direction as part of a bridge rehabilitation project. SR 611 is also restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction. Motorists should expect delays and allow for extra time as they travel this area during the construction of this project, and are encouraged to find alternative routes around the project if possible. The project is scheduled to be complete in June 2015.
Interstate 76, Medina County
I-76, from SR 57 to the Summit County line, has single lane restrictions for final paving work and cable rail installation within the median as part of the I-76 rehabilitation project. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area and watch for slower moving traffic as it merges in to the open lane. The project will be complete in July 2014.
U.S. Route 250, Huron County
U.S. 250, at its overlap with SR 162 in Fitchville Township, is closed for a bridge replacement project over the Vermilion River. Detours for U.S. 250 and SR 162 are posted. Due to weather delays, the road is expected to reopen in late June 2014.
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
Interstate 271 in Richfield Village/Richfield Township
Pavement replacement along I-271 from Broadview Rd. to the Ohio turnpike. The following traffic restrictions are in place:
The Brecksville Rd. bridge over I-271 is reduced to one lane of traffic maintained by a traffic signal through early June for bridge rehabilitation.
SR 303 over I-271 is restricted to one lane in each direction for bridge work through early December.
Motorists traveling on I-271 northbound between I-77 and the Ohio Turnpike should be aware of a bi-directional traffic pattern. Although two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-271, northbound, traffic is split, with one lane of northbound traffic crossed over onto I-271 southbound, while the second lane remains on I-271 northbound.
Interstate 90, Ashtabula County
Pavement replacement along I-90 from just west of SR 45 to just east of SR 11. The project also includes modifications to the I-90/SR 11 interchange and repairs to seven bridges along I-90. The following lane restrictions and ramp closures are in place:
SR 11 northbound and southbound is reduced to one lane in each direction over I-90 via a crossover
The SR 11 northbound ramp to I-90 westbound is closed through mid-October. The detour is SR 11 north to Seven Hills Road to SR 11 south to I-90
The I-90 eastbound ramp to SR 11 northbound is closed through mid-October. The detour is SR 11 south to SR 46 to SR 11 north to I-90
I-90 eastbound and westbound between SR 45 and SR 11 has various daily lane restrictions for roadway construction
Chapel Rd. over I-90 between Clay St. and Austinburg Rd. is closed through mid-June 2014 for a bridge replacement. The detour is Clay St. to SR 45 to Austinburg Rd.
Interstate 90 Major Pavement Reconstruction, Lake County
Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-90 east and westbound between Morley Rd. and Painesville-Warren Rd. (SR 86) using the crossover traffic configuration through fall 2014.
Interstate 90 George V. Voinovich Bridge, Cuyahoga County
All I-90 traffic is now traveling on the first of two, new bridges to replace the 1959 Innerbelt Bridge in downtown Cleveland. Interstate 90 remains open; however, multiple ramps – including the Ontario St. exit ramp from I-90 east – along the downtown corridor are closed or restricted. Visit www.Innerbelt.org for more information.
Interstate 77, Stark County
Resurfacing of I-77 from SR 800 to the Tuscarawas County line, project includes replacement of I-77 bridges over Gracemont Ave. Motorists traveling on I-77 southbound from Fohl Rd. to the Tuscarawas County line should be aware of a bi-directional traffic pattern. Although two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-77, southbound traffic is split, with one lane of southbound traffic crossed over onto I-77 northbound, while the second lane remains on I-77 southbound.
Interstate 77 Bridge Deck Replacement, Cuyahoga County
Through early-November the I-77 southbound ramp to I-480 westbound and the I-480 eastbound ramp to I-77 northbound are closed. Traffic is maintained on I-77 north and southbound between I-480 and SR 21 utilizing the crossover traffic pattern. Visit www.77bridgedeckreplacement.transportation.ohio.gov for detours and more information.
NORTHWESTERN OHIO
Interstate 280, Wood County
I-280 is reduced to one lane in each direction between Ayers Rd. and Woodville Rd., for each direction. Additionally, the ramp from Walbridge Road to northbound I-280 is closed. Detour is posted.
U.S. Route 224, Hancock County
Traffic on U.S. 224 on the bridge over I-75 in the city of Findlay is traveling on the north half of the bridge, one lane in each direction with no turn lanes, during reconstruction of the interchange. All ramps at the interchange are open.
State Route 81, Allen County
The entrance ramp from SR 81 to southbound I-75, Lima, is closed for reconstruction. Traffic is detoured north on I-75 to the Bluelick Rd. interchange back to I-75 southbound. All other ramp movements at the SR 81 interchange are maintained.
State Route 2, Lucas County
Rehabilitate the SR 2 bridge over the Maumee River. The Anthony Wayne Bridge remains closed through September 2015. Detour: Nevada Street; Miami Street; Greenwood Street.