Construction crews are moving forward with plans to close the westbound lanes of I-277 as part of $13.2 million resurfacing project.

The four-week long closure will begin Monday on I-277 West between I-77 and I-76 (the Kenmore Leg), according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

To get around, drivers can take I-77 North to I-76 West/I-77 North to I-76 West (Kenmore Leg).

The following ramps will also close during the closure:

• I-77 north to I-277/US 224 westbound. The detour is I-77 north to I-76 west/I-77 north to I-76 west (Kenmore Leg).
• I-77 south to I-277/US 224 westbound. The detour is I-76 west/I-77 north to I-76 west (Kenmore Leg).
• The entrance ramp from S. Main St. to I-277/US 224 westbound. A detour will be posted.
• The entrance ramp from SR 93/Manchester Rd. to I-277/US 224 westbound. A detour will be posted.
• ALSO, US 224 westbound from Kelly Ave. to the I-77 interchange will be reduced to one lane for bridge repairs.

The construction is part of a $13.2 million project to resurface I-76, Interstate 277 and US 224.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in late October 2013.

Click here to view a full list of construction projects in Summit County.

A nearly month long closure on 277 East will impact drivers starting early Monday morning.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has closed I-277 East from the Kenmore Leg to I-77 for 28 days for resurfacing.

Drivers can get around the closure using I-76 (Kenmore Leg) to I-76 east/ I-77 south to I-77 south to I-277 west.

This work is part of $13.2 million project to resurface I-277, I-76 and US 224 along with various bridge work to 18 structures. The entire project is scheduled for completion in August 2013.

The following ramp closures will also occur once I-277 closes. These closures will be in place for 28 days:

2. East Ave. ramp to I-76 east/I-77 south will be closed for 32 days. Detours will be posted. 

3.  I-77 south to I-76 west (Kenmore Leg). The detour is I-76 east to I-77 south to I-277 west.

4. I-277 west to I-76 east (Kenmore Leg). The detour is I-76/US 224 west to SR 21 north.

5. 76 west (Kenmore Leg) to I-277 east. The detour is I-76/US 224 west to SR 21 north.

6. The entrance ramp from SR 619/Wooster Rd. to I-76/US 224 east. The detour is Kenmore Blvd. east.

7. The entrance ramp from Grant Street to I-76 east/I-77 south. The detour is Grant St. north to Thornton St. west to Main St. south.

- Entrance ramp from 22nd Street to I-76 west.

- The entrance ramp from SR 93/Manchester Rd. to I-277 east. The detour is Waterloo Rd. east.

- The entrance ramp from South Main St. to I-277 east. The detour is Waterloo Rd. east.

Click here for the latest construction updates.

 

Drivers will start to notice a few more orange barrels on the roadways as the construction season kicks off.

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that construction crews will be working on over 90 projects in District 4 worth a total of $341 million across six counties including Ashtabula, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit and Trumball counties.

Brent Kovacs, spokesman for ODOT District 4, said drivers should be prepared for the closure of I-277 eastbound for about 28 days between the Kenmore Leg and I-77 later this month.

“The main reason we are doing this is to expedite construction and give the contractor full access to the roadway, so they can get the work done in the 28 day period,” said Kovacs.

ODOT plans to close the westbound lane of I-277 in June.

Construction projects for 2012 include: 

• The reconstruction of I-277/I-76/US 224 in the city of Akron.
• The resurfacing of I-271 from state Route 8 to the Cuyahoga County line.
• Bridge re-decking of seven bridges along I-77 in northern Summit County

ODOT is also focusing on the importance of communicating with businesses along heavy construction sites to create “Business Friendly Construction.”

District 4 Deputy Director Anthony Urankar said ODOT has found a way to keep Ohio's economy moving forward during heavy construction periods.

“The businesses are important, but the key is for us to let them know what we are doing beforehand so they can make adjustments,” said Urankar.  

ODOT partnered with the city of Green to keep communication alive during the heavy construction project along Arlington Road.

“Every business was guaranteed that their entrance would remain open. Every business was guaranteed that there would be lots of signage alerting the public that they were open,” said Green Mayor Dick Norton.

Norton said businesses and residents are able to track every step of the construction process with online updates on the city’s website.

ODOT plans to partner with more cities in the future to ensure that businesses are not severely impacted by large construction projects.

Click here to find the list of projects ODOT has planned.