The Ohio Department of Transportation expects to reopen three highway ramps around the Central Interchange in Akron next week.
The ramps have been closed for months causing significant headaches for highway motorists who either are caught in traffic jams or forced to take lengthy detours because of the construction.
ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said a specific date for opening the ramps hasn’t been determined, but it will be sometime next week. He added that the ramps may not open all at the same time.
The ongoing $15.6 million project involves removing three bridges on Interstate 76/77 just west of the Central Interchange, where interstates 76 and 77, and state Route 8 come together.
The ramps affected are:
• Eastbound I-76/77 to southbound I-77.
• Northbound I-77 to westbound I-76/77.
• Southbound state Route 8 to westbound I-76/77.
About 100,000 vehicles travel that area each day.
ODOT also is rebuilding the nearby I-76/77 interchange with South Main Street and South Broadway as part of a separate project.
The projects are part of more than $500 million worth of ODOT road and bridge construction planned in Summit County over the next five years.
For more details and a list of other highway projects, go to: www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D04.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .