ODOT has released a statement Monday afternoon saying ramp work will begin Tuesday morning, and with it closures throughout the Central Interchange.
Ramp construction had been delayed a week because the contractor tasked with doing so had not gotten the construction signs in place with time enough ahead of the scheduled construction.
Despite the setback, Justin Chesnic with ODOT tells 1590 WAKR that the same contractor has completed the work needed on their end and they are ready to go. Below is the official release from ODOT:
Monday, August 8, 2016
Interstate 76 in the City of Akron
(Tuesday, August 9 – until further notice)
The following lane restriction and ramp closures will occur by Tuesday morning, August 9, at 6 a.m.
(Wednesday, August 10 – until further notice)
Beginning Wednesday, morning, August 10, at 6 a.m.., the ramp from I-76 eastbound to I-77 southbound will be CLOSED through late November for bridge removal. The detour will be I-76/Kenmore Leg westbound to I-277 eastbound to I-77 southbound. This work is part of a $15.6 million project to remove three bridge on I-76/I-77 over Johnston St. The project also includes the relocation of Johnston St. between Spicer St. and Brown St. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by late July 2017.
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The Ohio Department of Transportation maintains the state's largest man-made asset--the transportation system. ODOT's mission is to provide the safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place. As a $2.8 billion per year enterprise, ODOT invests the bulk of its resources in system preservation through maintenance, construction and snow and ice operations.
“The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.”
Follow our coverage of the story with the last update from WAKR.net.
Finding your way around closures on the roads can be a hassle, especially during construction season. The Ohio Department of Transportation is hoping to relieve some of the headaches associated with traveling through the orange barrels.
ODOT District 4 has launched the "Do The Detour" website, ahead of the restriping project along the Kenmore Leg that was scheduled for this weekend. That project has since been postponed due to weather.
According to ODOT, the new site will offer the best detour options for drivers, maps included, before they head out on the road.
There are a list of upcoming projects that ODOT is preparing for -- including the more than $100 million project on Main/Broadway and I-76. It's a four-year project that will send drivers to the Kenmore Leg as the detour.
On the web: www.dot.state.oh.us
UPDATE 1:40 PM: ODOT tells WAKR.net that the planned closures and construction have been delayed until next weekend due to the weather.
Construction around I-76 East will impact the morning commute for Friday, April 22.
Bridge work will close down several ramps around the Central Interchange beginning at 6 a.m. Friday.
The ramp from I-77 North to I-76 East will be closed. Drivers can detour around from I-77 North to Grant Street to I-76 East.
The ramp from State Route 8 South to I-76 East will be closed. Drivers can detour from I-77 North to Grant Street to I-76 East.
The entrance and exit ramps from I-76 East to Arlington will be closed.
Lastly there will be lane restrictions on I-76 East between Grant Street and Fuller Street.
This is all part of a $8.6 million bridge repair project by the Ohio Department of Transportation between the Kenmore Leg and the Portage County line. The entire project is projected to be completed by late October.
Follow @AkronTXWX to stay updated on the latest construction and traffic news around Akron.