ODOT lists holiday travel trouble spots

Ohio Dept. of Transportation information

COLUMBUS — Ohioans may not have to worry about snowy roads as they travel for the holidays this week and next week, but they should still be prepared.

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) real-time traffic portal — OHGO.com — helps motorists avoid traffic tie-ups by posting current highway traffic speeds, traffic accidents, slowdowns and tie-ups, travel times, road construction, traffic cameras images and more!

By using OHGO.com, motorists can get where they are going safer, faster and easier than ever before.

“Know before you go,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “Planning ahead means fewer traffic headaches and more time with friends and family.”

AAA is predicting a record 4 million Ohioans will travel more than 50 miles from home this week — that’s twice as many than over Thanksgiving.

While construction work is suspended over the holiday, many permanent work zone restrictions remain in place. Below is a list of many of the notable highway construction projects that could impact Ohioans’ holiday travel:

NORTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 75, Wood County

Widen I-75 to three lanes in both directions from Perrysburg to Findlay; 11-foot lane width restrictions and reduced speed limits are in place in the work zone.

Interstate 75, Lucas County

I-75, from the Anthony Wayne Trail to the I-75/I-280 interchange in Toledo is reduced to two lanes. 11-foot lane width restrictions and reduced speed limits are in place in the work zone.  Various exit and entrance ramp closures are in place. Detours are posted.

Interstate 475, Lucas County                                      

Through June 2016, 11-foot lane width restrictions will be in place on I-475 from Salisbury Road/Dussel Drive to Central Avenue for bridge widening.

EASTERN OHIO

Interstate 70, Belmont County

I-70 twin bridge replacements on Lady Bend Hill near U.S. 40 (Exit 204) between Morristown and Barnesville. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction.

Ohio 7, Jefferson County

Ohio 7 is reduced to one lane between Brilliant and Rush Run for landslide repairs.

WESTERN OHIO

Interstate 75, Montgomery County

I-75 from Third Street to Main Street is under construction due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to northbound motorists. Three lanes will be open to southbound motorists. Motorists need to stay alert, as traffic patterns are currently not in their traditional places at this location.

Interstate 70, Montgomery County

I-70 between Airport Access Road and Ohio 48 is under construction. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction. Motorist should remain alert, as there is a lot of work being done in this area.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO

Interstate 90 in Austinburg, Plymouth and Saybrook Townships

I-90 eastbound and westbound between Ohio 45 and just east of Ohio 11 has occasional lane restrictions for road construction. This work is part of a $68 million project to replace pavement along I-90 from just west of Ohio 45 to just east of Ohio 11. The project also includes modifications to the I-90/Ohio 11 interchange and repairs to seven bridges along I-90.

Interstate 80, Austintown and Weathersfield Townships and the City of Girard

Two lanes of traffic are maintained on I-80 eastbound between Ohio 46 and the U.S. 422 line utilizing the far left lane and left shoulder. This work is part of a $91.5 million project to widen I-80 between Ohio 11 and Ohio 193.

Interstate 271, City of Macedonia

I-271 between Ohio 8 and the Cuyahoga County line has various lane restrictions for roadway widening. The speed limit in this area is reduced to 50 mph during construction. This work is part of a $50.9 million project to reconstruct and widen I-271 between Ohio 8 and the Cuyahoga County line.

Interstate 90 George V. Voinovich Bridge, Cuyahoga County

All I-90 traffic is now traveling on the first of two new bridges to replace the 1959 Innerbelt Bridge in downtown Cleveland. Interstate 90 remains open; however, multiple ramps — including the Ontario Street exit ramp from I-90 east — along the downtown corridor are closed or restricted. Visit  www.Innerbelt.org for more information.

U.S. Route 6/Ohio 2 Lakefront West, Cuyahoga County

All lanes on Ohio 2 (the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway) on Cleveland’s west side are open, however, the speed limit in both directions is permanently reduced to 35 mph. Visit  www.LakefrontWest.transportation.ohio.gov for more information.

East 105th Street Widening, Opportunity Corridor Section 1, Cuyahoga County

East 105th Street motorists should be alert for closures and restrictions on Cleveland’s east side. Visit www.OpportunityCorridor.transportation.ohio.gov for more information.

SOUTHERN OHIO

Ohio 104, Pike County

Ohio 104 is reduced to one, 11-foot lane between Ohio 551 and Ohio 552 at Lake White as part of the dam rehabilitation project. Traffic is being maintained with the use of temporary signals, and the single-lane restriction will be in effect through January 4, 2016; at which time, Ohio 104 will be closed for bridge replacement.

SOUTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 75, Hamilton County

Reconstruct the I-75/Hopple Street interchange. Three lanes of southbound I-75 traffic is on the west side of I-75 between the I-74 and Harrison Avenue interchanges. One lane of southbound I-75 traffic will remain in a contraflow position on the east side of I-75 between I-74 and the Harrison Avenue exit. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.