THANKSGIVING DAY TRAVEL BEGINS

COLUMBUS (November 20, 2007) This Thanksgiving holiday, state highways will see an increase in traffic starting Wednesday evening, and the Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to take extra caution. Last year, ODOTs traffic analysis showed a 40 percent increase in traffic on the states rural highways the Wednesday before the holiday. Over the five-day Thanksgiving period in 2006, there were 3,139 crashes on Ohios highways, resulting in 22 deaths.

Holiday drivers are often navigating routes they dont normally travel. With many of the states major construction projects changing traffic patterns, there is an increased need to slow down, pay attention to all signs and work zones, and plan ahead. Motorists can get up-to-date construction and road condition information any time at www.BuckeyeTraffic.org.
 

Select construction overview information by regions of Ohio:
|  Central | Eastern | Northeast | Northwest |
 | Southwest | Southern | Southeast | Western

U.S. Route 20, Sandusky County
Resurfacing of U.S. 20 between Spayd Rd. and East St. in the city of Clyde. Motorists will encounter lane restrictions on U.S. 20 throughout the project for finish work. Work will be suspended on Thursday, Nov. 22, through Monday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Completion date: Dec.1, 2007.

U.S. Route 20, Sandusky and Wood counties
U.S. 20 is being widened from two lanes to five from Pine St. in Woodville to the U.S. 20/SR 420 interchange. Westbound and eastbound lanes are reduced to 11 feet with a restriction of eight feet, six inches currently in effect throughout the construction zone. One lane in both directions will be maintained at all times. Intermittent short-term lane restrictions will occur throughout the work zone. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Fostoria Rd. will be closed until approximately Nov. 30. Traffic is detoured to Bradner. While the work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: mid-November 2009.

U.S. Route 20A, Lucas County
Installation of a turn lane and various construction changes to U.S. 20A, both northbound and southbound. Motorists may experience lane restrictions with minor delays at U.S. 20A & Coder Rd. in Lucas County from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in both directions. Two -way traffic will be maintained by flaggers and law enforcement. During Thanksgiving there will be two lanes opened to normal traffic Completion date: Nov. 30, 2007.

U.S. Route 20A, Williams County
ODOT crews will be widening the intersection on U.S. 20A between U.S. 20 and SR 107. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained by flaggers. Work will be suspended on Thanksgiving Day and resume on Friday, Nov. 23. Completion date (estimated): Dec. 15, 2007.

U.S. Route 24, Defiance and Henry counties
Widening and reconstruction of U.S. 24 between the city of Napoleon and the city of Defiance. Some lane restrictions will be required, but traffic on U.S. 24 is maintained at all times. Traffic has been switched into the new westbound lanes from just east of SR 66 to just east of Domersville Rd. SR 281 at U.S. 24 is closed until the first week of December to complete the construction of the new diamond interchange. Detour is posted. Completion date: fall 2008.

U.S. Route 24, Defiance County
The reconstruction of the existing two lanes of U.S. 24 and the construction of two additional lanes to expand the route to a four-lane highway. The existing four-lane section from SR 15 to SR 66 is reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic is switched into the new westbound lanes between the U.S. 24 bypass and SR 424 to allow for construction of the new eastbound lanes. Completion date: November 2008.

State Route 25, Wood County
SR 25, from Roachton Rd. to Front St., has intermittent lane restrictions between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily until the end of November to install traffic signal poles and traffic signals. Two-way traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Minor delays possible. Work will be suspended over the holiday. Completion date: Dec. 15, 2007.

U.S. Route 30, Wyandot County
Final construction work on the remaining section of the new four-lane roadway and ramps of interchange at County Highway 330 (CH 330). The entire stretch of new highway opened to traffic Nov. 9. During construction, traffic will be one lane in each direction through the work zone in the new eastbound lanes from CH 330 to TR 49 near Upper Sandusky. A detour for wide loads is posted. CH 330 west of Upper Sandusky will remain closed until final work is completed. No access to, or from Upper Sandusky on CH 330 will be possible during the closure. Completion date: summer 2008.

Interstate 280, Lucas County
Construction of the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge over the Maumee River on I-280. The new bridge is open to three lanes of traffic in each direction. While intermittent lane closures will continue through November for finishing activities, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: summer 2008.

State Route 576, Williams County
SR 576 is closed south of Montpelier, between U.S. 6 and SR 34 in Williams County due to culvert failure. Detour is posted. Due to the nature of the project, the completion date is unknown at this time. Visit this link for details: http://www.odotonline.org/detours/detour.asp?detNumber=509

State Route 590, Ottawa County
SR 590 between Trowbridge Rd. and Velliquette Rd. in Ottawa County will be closed starting Tuesday Nov.13, for catch basin repair. Work is suspended over the holiday and SR 590 will be open to traffic Nov. 22 until Nov. 26. Detour is posted. Completion date: Nov. 27, 2007. Visit this link for details: http://www.odotonline.org/detours/detour.asp?detNumber=527

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State Route 2, Lake County
Rehabilitation of SR 2 between the Cuyahoga County line and SR 91.Work takes place off the roadway. Completion date: October 2008.

State Route 8, Summit County
Reconstruction of SR 8 from south of Twinsburg Rd. to north of the I-271 interchange. Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained on SR 8 at all times. Twinsburg Rd. at SR 8 is closed, and will reopen as an underpass in late fall 2009. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Detours are posted. Completion date: summer 2010. 

State Route 19, Crawford County
SR 19, one-half mile north of Albaugh Rd. in Lykens Township, is closed for an unanticipated embankment and pavement repair project. An apparent sinkhole has opened up underneath the pavement, and ODOT crews are testing and studying the situation to determine a solution. Detour is posted. Due to the uncertain nature of the problem, the completion date of the SR 19 project is unknown at this time. 

U.S. Route 20, Lake County
Widening and reconstruction on U.S. 20, from the Mentor corporation line to Fairgrounds Dr. One lane of traffic in each direction is maintained on U.S. 20 at all times Crews intend to work on Friday, Nov. 23 within the permanent work zone. Additional impacts to traffic are not expected. Completion date: summer 2008. 

Interstate 77, Stark County
Widening and reconstruction on I-77 from W. Tuscarawas St. (SR 172) to 13th St. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-77. Completion date: June 2008.

 Interstate 77, Summit County
Widening and reconstruction on I-77 from Copley Rd. (SR 162) to Cleveland-Massillon Rd. in the cities of Akron and Fairlawn, and in Bath and Copley townships. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-77 through construction. Completion date: fall 2008.

Interstate 80, Mahoning County
Widening the roadway and construction of a new bridge over the Meander Reservoir on I-80, between SR 45 and the SR 11 interchange. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction. Motorists should watch for change in normal traffic patterns. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: fall 2009.

State Route 84, Lake County
SR 84, in Willoughby Hills and Wickliffe, is reduced to one lane in each direction for widening. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: summer 2008.

State Route 86, Lake County
The relocation of SR 86 in Concord and Painesville townships. SR 86 is closed completely between Fay Rd./Big Creek Court and Grandridge Pointe Dr. Detours are posted. While permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: fall 2009.

Interstate 90, Lake County
Adding a lane to I-90 between SR 306 and SR 615 and rehabilitating the remaining lanes through Willoughby Hills, Mentor, Kirtland and Concord townships. The rest area in the eastbound direction and all eastbound lanes are open with use of the additional third lane. The ramp from SR 615 to I-90 eastbound is also open. Traffic will remain restricted to two lanes in the westbound direction through November as crews work to remove barrier wall throughout the project. Completion date (tentative): June 2008. 

U.S. Route 250, Erie County
U.S. 250, just north of SR 113, is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction for preparation work prior to the start of a project to replace and repair two bridges. While permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday, and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: Nov. 30, 2007.

Interstate 271, Summit County
I-271 over SR 8 is reduced to one through lane and one exit only lane in each direction as part of the SR 8/I-271 reconstruction project. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: summer 2010.

Interstate 271, Summit County
I-271 over the Cuyahoga River in Boston Township is reduced to one lane in each direction during off peak hours for major reconstruction. This work is part of a $33 million project for replacing the I-271 twin bridges over the Cuyahoga River and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Completion date: fall 2009.

State Route 283, Lake County
Reconstruction of SR 283 between SR 615 (Munson Rd.) and Washington Ave. One lane of northeast traffic is maintained. Detours are posted for traffic traveling in the southwest direction. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: October 2008.

U.S. Route 322, Cuyahoga County
Widening and reconstruction of U.S. 322 (Mayfield Rd.) between Lander Rd. and the eastern Mayfield Heights corporation limit. Traffic is maintained throughout the projects limits. Left turns are permitted only at signalized intersections. While permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday. Completion date: fall 2009.

U.S. Route 422, Geauga County
Reconstruction of U.S. 422, including four driving lanes and a center turn lane between SR 88 and the Portage County line in Parkman and Nelson townships. Eastbound traffic is maintained. Westbound traffic will be detoured for the duration of the project. Detours are posted. Permanent work zone restrictions remain in place over the holiday. Completion date: fall 2008.

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U.S. Route 35, Montgomery County
Major repair and replacement of roadway and bridges, from I-75 to just east of the current Steve Whalen Blvd. exit. Two lanes of traffic are open in each direction. Traffic is shifted on U.S. 35 westbound, where there are 10-foot, 6-inch lane width restrictions in place. The U.S. eastbound ramp to Keowee St. is closed within the work zone. Motorists should expect congestion and delays. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Detours are posted. Completion date: spring 2008.

Interstate 70/Huber Heights, Montgomery County
Work continues on I-70 from the I-70/I-75 interchange to east of the Clark County line for the reconstruction and widening of I-70. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction. Motorists should use caution and reduce their speed through this area. Expect congestion and possible delays. The I-70 eastbound off ramp and the I-70 westbound on ramp at SR 201 will be closed until mid-December, follow the detour signing as provided. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, there will be no additional lane closures over the holiday weekend. Completion date: summer 2008.

Interstate 70/Interstate 75, Montgomery County
Reconstruction continues at the I-70/I-75 interchange just north of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction on I-70 through the interchange. I-75 is reduced to two lanes in each direction between U.S. 40 and just south of I-70. Motorists should use caution and reduce their speed through this area. Expect congestion and possible delays. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, there will be no additional lane closures over the holiday weekend. Completion date: summer 2009.

Interstate 75, Montgomery County
Phase 1A of the modernization of I-75 through downtown Dayton. Work is being performed during daylight hours from Stanley Ave. south to Main St. The following ramps have been permanently closed: Grand Ave. to I-75 northbound; Grand Ave. connector to Main St.; and I-75 southbound to Leo / Keowee St. exit. Shaw Ave. is open to local traffic only. There will be no lane closures in effect during the holiday weekend. Completion date: June 2011.

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State Route 161, Licking County
A major expansion project on SR 161, including several road alignment changes, from east of New Albany to Newark. Traffic will be maintained on one lane of two-way traffic with temporary traffic signals and flaggers. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 miles per hour. Traffic will be slowed during the holiday weekend due to the construction and to several county and township roads closed along the route. Completion date: October 2009.

Interstate 270, Franklin County
Major reconstruction of the I-71 and I-270 interchange on the north side of Columbus. All lanes are open. Work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no lane closures. Completion date: Nov. 30, 2007.

Interstate 270, Franklin County
Project to retrofit concrete barrier, joints, catch basins and approach slabs on I-270 at Morse Rd. One northbound I-270 collector-distributor lane to Easton Way will be maintained; two southbound I-270 collector-distributor lanes to Easton Way will be maintained. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: Nov. 30, 2007. 

Interstate 270/State Route 161, Franklin County
Major reconstruction of the SR 161 interchanges at I-270 and Sunbury Rd. on the northeast side of Columbus. I-270 traffic is maintained with a minimum of three lanes in each direction between SR 3 and Easton Way. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph on I-270 and 45 mph on SR 161. Traffic patterns, ramps and signals have changed significantly. Motorists should expect delays and are strongly encouraged to allow additional travel time for their commute and are reminded to pay special attention to signs and posted speed limits in the construction zone. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended for the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: December 2007.

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State Route 170, Columbiana County
Reconstruction and widening from just west of CR 447 to just south of CR 430 in Calcutta. To minimize traffic delays caused by this work and inconvenience to motorists, construction on SR 170 is only taking place between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Traffic is being maintained in both directions on the route, however, motorists are advised to use an alternate route and asked to exercise caution through this area. Completion date: June 2008.

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U.S. Route 22 and State Route 3, Hamilton and Warren counties
Widening of Montgomery Rd. (U.S. 22 and SR 3) from Cornell Rd. to Appleseed Rd. in Hamilton County to increase capacity and improve safety. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained. Work is suspended over the holiday weekend. Completion date: fall 2008. 

U.S. Route 50, Hamilton County
Widening of U.S. 50 from just east of the Mariemont east corporation line to just east of Newton Rd. The work includes widening the existing pavement for a center turn lane, and lengthening the right turn lane approaching Newton Rd. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the weekend, and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: May. 31, 2008. 

State Route 73, Clinton County
To accommodate construction of the Wilmington Bypass, SR 73 is closed just southeast of the intersection with Airport Rd. until May 8, 2008. Traffic is not permitted to turn right from Airport Rd. onto SR 73. Detour is posted. Completion date: fall 2010.

Interstate 275, Hamilton County
Rehabilitation of the roadway, pavement and 28 bridge structures on I-275 from just east of Winton Rd. to just east of U.S. 42. Work includes adding a fourth lane in both directions, widening the eastbound and westbound on and off ramps to Mosteller Rd., and replacing the bridge decks on the Chesterdale and U.S. 42 overpasses. One lane of two-way traffic is maintained by a temporary traffic signal over the Chesterdale Road overpass. During peak travel hours, three lanes of traffic on I-275 maintained in each direction. To maintain these three lanes, ODOT is shifting one lane of eastbound traffic onto the westbound side of I-275 to create an express lane through the work zone. Tractor trailers are prohibited in this lane, and there are no exits until the lane joins with mainline I-275. During the projects second phase, this lane carries eastbound traffic from just east of the Winton Rd. interchange to just east of U.S. 42. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the weekend and there will be no additional lane closures. Completion date: fall 2010.

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State Route 551, Pike County
SR 551 is closed at the Pee Pee Creek Bridge in the Lake White Region, just south of SR 220, due to damage incurred by flooding. The bridge is closed until further notice, and motorists are being detoured via SR 552.

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Southeastern Ohio

State Route 124, Athens County
SR 124, just south of the Washington County line, is closed due to a significant slip. This is a permanent closure. SR 144 may be used as a detour until such time that a new state route is established.

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