HOWLAND — With the long-discussed diverging diamond project set to begin today at the intersection of state Routes 46 and 82, local businesses, Howland schools and township safety forces are preparing for rerouted and increased traffic to other parts of the community.

Harmon Andrews, owner of Andrews Shopping Center, said the intersection where his business is located at Niles Cortland Road and East Market Street is already busy with traffic — and he suspects rerouted traffic during the project will only make it worse.

The store is one of many in the township’s main business district.

“There will definitely be additional traffic at this intersection. I am sure much of the traffic is going to be funneled this way,” he said.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will begin work on the diverging diamond interchange today. A groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday near the intersection in Howland.

It will mean Routes 46 and 82 will have various daily lane restrictions: Route 46 between Market Street and U.S. Route 422, and Route 82 between Elm Road and Howland Wilson Road.

The ramp from East Market Street to Route 82 will be closed through November 2024. The detour will be East Market Street to Route 46 to Route 82.

The project also includes replacement of the Route 82 bridge over Route 46.

Officials have said the project is set to be completed by end of summer 2026.

LOCAL REACTION

Andrews said many of his customers are older and local, so he is sure they will be able to find a way to the store.

“I will let them know the best way for them to get there once the project starts,” Andrews said.

When the nearby Howland schools let out in the afternoon, he suspects there will be a lot more traffic.

“It will be a nightmare. There are already times of the day the traffic is bad. We have traffic jams now,” he said. “More traffic is going to be coming this way.”

Joe Bell, communications director for the Cafaro Company, which owns and operates the Eastwood Mall, said he has been in contact with ODOT and the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office and will continue to stay up-to-date as the project proceeds.

Bell said employees and customers will have to change their routes, but there are other routes for access from Route 422, North Road and Vienna Avenue.

“People will find a new way to get to the Eastwood Mall if they have to. For most, it will be easy to change their morning or afternoon commutes,” he said.

Bell said his only concern might be the Christmas season when traffic backs up from all directions for shoppers going to and from the mall.

He said ODOT has indicated it will update him on any changes during the project.

“While the project is being worked on, the public will be made aware of the different other ways to gain access to the Eastwood Mall — with Route 422 the main viable option,” Bell said.

FIRE SAFETY

Assistant Howland fire Chief Ray Pace said with three fire stations in different parts of the township, there will be no problem continuing to provide coverage.

He said for areas south of Route 82 at Route 46, there is the Ridge Road station in the Bolindale area. Pace said the main fire station on Route 46 also can respond by taking East Market to North Road.

“This will not affect our response since we have three fire stations. None of the residents will see any change in the fire protection. We will still be able to respond and get to calls,” Pace said.

Pace said fire officials from Howland and also Warren have been in contact with ODOT to stay informed as the project proceeds.

He said the Ridge Road fire station easily will be able get to any calls south of the construction area as will the main station by taking East Market to North Road to Route 422.

SCHOOL BUSES

Howland schools Superintendent Kevin Spicher said the district has a contingency plan in place to deal with the project.

“Busing will be the one way the schools will be impacted and needing to make some changes,” Spicher said.

Spicher said most of the school buses travel east and west in the township, with fewer traveling south. He said when the district sees what roads might be closed, officials will see what buses will be affected.

He said school officials will stay on top of changes and expected delays for student arrival in the morning and departure in the afternoon.

“We expect some places will have more traffic that is rerouted, which will cause delays. Everyone will do what they can to get students to school on time, but we can’t predict or control what variables may be in place,” Spicher said.

He said he hopes families will be patient on days when traffic might be backed up.

PROJECT COSTS

ODOT officials have said the project is one of the biggest at $20.4 million to be launched this year in the Mahoning Valley. It is the third diverging diamond in the state. ODOT said the other two are in Columbus and Toledo.

The state said a lot of congestion and a lot of crashes occur on those ramps at Routes 46 and 82. ODOT considers the diverging diamond safer and more efficient for high-traffic areas because it involves no left turns against oncoming traffic.

Appearing diamond-shaped from above, the interchange involves traffic switching sides of the road temporarily, which in the case of Routes 46 and 82 is meant to allow easier access on ramps.