Turnpike announces construction projects

National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week runs April 15-19

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is urging motorists to be self-aware of dangerous behaviors behind the wheel — such as aggressive and distracted driving — especially in work zones to reduce crashes, according to a news release.

“Raising awareness of work zone safety to protect motorists and our maintenance and roadway crews during the ninemonth highway construction season is a top priority,” said Chris Matta, chief engineer/deputy executive director for the Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission in the release. “By eliminating dangerous driving behaviors, most vehicle crashes are preventable.”

To protect roadway construction workers, the Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is urging motorists to drive safely in-and-around work zones by:

• Establishing a safe following distance

• Obeying the work zone speed limit (because of reduced lane widths, traffic lane shifts and narrow shoulders

• Avoiding distractions

• Paying attention to signs

• Being prepared to slow down or stop

This year, the turnpike commission has a budget of about $254 million for capital improvement projects across the 241mile toll road, according to the release.

This figure includes nearly $238 million for projects beginning in 2024 and completing prior year projects, the release said.

More than $162 million of the 2024 capital plan is allocated for roadway and bridge projects.

About 92 lane miles of pavement will be resurfaced, the pavement at a toll plaza interchange will be reconstructed, and an extensive amount of work will be performed on 26 bridges.

“To limit delays for travelers on the Ohio Turnpike, we strive to maintain two lanes of traffic in all three lane sections of the turnpike during peak travel times,” Matta added. “Some single lane work zones will be necessary but will occur mostly during off-peak travel times or at night.”

Construction projects in 2024:

Erie County

Three bridge decks will be replaced in Erie County.

The Ohio Turnpike’s mainline bridge over Skadden Road/state Route 99 (milepost 111.2) will be redecked.

Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during the project, which runs from April 2024 to November 2024.

The overhead bridges at Township Road 102 (milepost 107.5) and Mudbrook Road/state Route 13 (milepost 119.3) will be closed and detoured for deck replacements.

Construction is scheduled in 2024 and 2025.

Lorain County

Three bridge decks will be removed and replaced in Lorain County.

The onramp to Interstate 80 east at Toll Plaza 152 (North Olmsted-Cleveland) will close from April 17 to August to begin work on a mainline bridge at milepost 152.1 eastbound that runs above the onramp.

The eastbound offramp on the Ohio Turnpike to Lorain Road (state Route 10) will remain open.

Motorists planning to travel eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike that normally enter from Lorain Road can follow the posted detour signs: Lorain Road north to Interstate 480 east to Interstate 71 south to Toll Plaza 161 (Strongsville-Cleveland).

The Ohio Turnpike’s mainline bridge at milepost 152.3 eastbound over Lorain Road will be redecked as well.

Two eastbound lanes on the mainline will be maintained during the project, which runs from April 2024 to November 2025.

The Bagley Road bridge that runs above the Ohio Turnpike at milepost 152.9 will close from April 29 through October 2024.

Motorists can follow the posted detour signs.

For emergency roadside assistance or to report an unsafe driver, dial #677 in Ohio or 911.