It should be smooth sailing for highway motorists using the Central Interchange in Akron.
The Ohio Department of Transportation has opened several ramps that had been closed for months because of bridge construction.
The ramp from Interstate 76/77 eastbound to I-77 southbound opened Saturday morning, while the I-77 northbound to I-76/77 westbound and state Route 8 southbound to I-76/77 ramps opened at 6 a.m. Monday.
“For that project, the big stuff is over,” ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said Monday.
ODOT had said last week it expected the ramps to reopen this week.
Workers still need to do some resurfacing and will return in the spring, Chesnic said.
The ramp closures had posed significant challenges for motorists who were caught in frequent traffic jams or forced to take lengthy detours.
About 100,000 motorists use the Central Interchange each day.
The $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.
ODOT opted to fill in dirt beneath the bridges and rebuild the roadway there, effectively eliminating the bridges, instead of replacing the spans to save money on maintenance in the future.
But just because the bridge project is nearly completed, it doesn’t mean motorists won’t encounter highway construction along I-76/77.
ODOT now will shift its attention to the separate, massive interchange project nearby at I-76/77 and South Main Street/South Broadway.
That work is underway and ODOT has already closed the exit ramp from I-76/77 eastbound to Wolf Ledges Parkway/Grant Street as part of the project.
The goal is to improve safety along what was considered to be the most dangerous stretch of highway in Summit County because of tightly bunched on- and off-ramps.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .