Road construction season is ramping up, with some Mahoning Valley projects already underway.

Between Mahoning and Trumbull counties, the Ohio Department of Transportation has more than $100 million in projects, including culverts, bridge work and resurfacing.

One of the projects with a large impact in Mahoning County includes 12 bridges receiving repairs this year in Youngstown.

Right now, four bridges on the southbound lanes of Interstate 680 are being worked on, near state Route 711.

Tom Kopnicky, ODOT’s project manager, said that motorists can expect the majority of construction on the four bridges, which began last year with the northbound lands between the Belle Vista entrance to I-680 and Route 711, to be completed this year.

“Ninety-five percent of the work will be done this year,” he said, adding that next year the structures will be painted.

Cost for the project is $9,723,632.

Work will be completed at night, Kopnicky said.

Also, the ramp from Route 711 to I-680 has been closed and will remain so until October.

Traffic patterns are split. Kopnicky said that because of stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic, traffic flow hasn’t been as heavy.

BE CAREFUL

Justin Chesnic, spokesman for ODOT District 4, said although traffic isn’t as heavy right now, motorists still should use caution when approaching a construction zone.

“The main thing, at any time, is go slow and follow the speed limit,” Chesnic said.

The speed limit for the four bridges on I-680 is 50 mph.

Another concern is distractions motorists have while driving.

“Put the phone away and quit playing with the radio,” Chesnic said.

Motorists should also remember that Ohio has a “slow down and move over” law, he noted, that entails when flashing lights or construction zones are ahead, “slow down and give anyone working on the side of the road room to safely work.”

Also being completed in Mahoning County is the major resurfacing project on U.S. Route 224, from Fairground Boulevard in Canfield to I-680 in Boardman.

That project, costing $9,241,600, will wrap up in the summer of 2021.

Re-striping closer to Tiffany Boulevard and South Avenue will extend turning lanes.

As ODOT receives site construction information from Meijer stores, some work will be completed on state Route 625, or Lockwood Boulevard, north of Route 224 to the intersection of Tippecanoe Road. Meijer is building a store near the intersection of Route 224 and Lockwood Boulevard.

The local infrastructure work will continue amid the pandemic, Chesnic said, as the projects are deemed essential.

“The main thing is, we’re going to be out there. Road projects are still going as planned,” Chesnic said.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

In Trumbull County, some work is underway on the $2 million project on Bedford Road, where crews are working to widen the road from 18 feet wide to 26 feet.

Mike Centorame, project manager for the project, said the road will be closed to southbound traffic, and a detour will be set up.

Once crews complete the southbound side of the road, they will work on the northbound side, he added.

The span of the construction is between Stewart Sharon Road and U.S. Route 62. The work will be completed in the daytime hours.

Chesnic said contractors also are working on drainage, and the rest of the project will include new signage, pavement markings and new curbs.

Also in Trumbull County this year, state routes 87, 88 and 305 will have culvert replacement.

Chesnic said that the project is anticipated to last 21 days, with a 10- to 14-day closure.

That project, however, will be bidded out in June, but will be completed by the end of the year, he said.

State Route 305 will be resurfaced, from state Route 534 to state Route 7, Chesnic said.

Route 7 also will have major resurfacing, which will also be bid on in June.

Motorists should also expect work on routes 422, 62 and 625, for resurfacing, Chesnic said.

Chesnic said for information and updates through construction season, visit transportation. ohio.gov.