Route 44 improvements planned in Chardon, Munson

Resurfacing work to extend from city’s southern tip to Route 322

The Ohio Department of Transportation is preparing for a construction project on Route 44 south of Chardon Square.

The project will resurface the roadway from Mayfield Road (Route 322) to the city of Chardon corporation limits in Munson Township.

Chardon City Council on July 12 will consider preliminary legislation authorizing participation in the ODOT cooperative purchasing program for the $600,000 work.

“There is no cost to the city for this,” Chardon Finance Director Mate Rogonjic said. “It will be paid by ODOT and covers only 0.26 miles within the city and Munson Township.”

The pavement condition led the state transportation agency to add it to projects slated for construction in the spring. Completion is scheduled for fall 2019.

That stretch of road sees about 6,700 vehicles per day, said ODOT District 12 Spokeswoman Amanda McFarland.

“Traffic (will be) maintained by use of flaggers,” she said.

Chardon Police Lt. Troy Duncan said the department would keep and eye on the city’s portion of the project area.

“There is a lot of traffic that travels the road daily and any interruption no matter how small will back things up,” he said. “I am sure that the flaggers will do the best they can and if we see it’s a problem, we will step in and help as much as we can.

“The best thing we can do is ask everyone that is traveling that way to avoid the area altogether and have patience.”