 |
| |
| |
The University of Akron has launched 330-972-PARK and a revamped Web site to alert faculty, staff and students to changes that will affect their commute, now that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has begun its state Rt. 8 reconstruction project.
The University’s hotline also includes directions to campus, parking lot alternatives and information on the Campus Shuttle — making it equally useful to visitors and prospective students.
In addition, updates on traffic and parking will be available through The University of Akron homepage at www.uakron.edu . By clicking on the parking icon, users can immediately access Parking Services’ new Parking and Traffic Information Center. E-mail Digest and Akron Update, as well as WZIP-FM are additional information sources.
Maps detailing alternate travel routes as well as directions to campus are available by contacting the Department of Institutional Marketing at ext. 7820 or via e-mail at sampsel@uakron.edu .
ODOT also will provide the latest traffic updates for Route 8 at its Roadwise Web page at www.roadwise.org , by phone at 1-866-ROADWISE, on 530-AM — the ODOT construction information station — and via changeable message signs.
This communication network is already being put to the test.
On Jan. 13, ODOT began the initial phase of its $39 million construction project by permanently closing the East Market Street entrance ramp to Route 8 south, and the exit ramp from Route 8 south to East Exchange Street, along with Kirkwood Court, from East Market Street to Hamilton Avenue.
Closer to campus, the stretches of Goodkirk Street between Buchtel Avenue and Carroll Street, and between East Exchange and Gage streets, have been closed, as has Fountain Street, between Buchtel and Carroll streets.
By early February, ODOT expects to have all the ramps closed between the Central Interchange where Interstates 76 and 77 meet with Route 8, to the bridge north of Perkins Street — with the exception of one exit in each direction. Motorists headed north in the construction zone will be able to exit at Buchtel Avenue/Carroll Street, while those driving south will only be able to exit at Perkins Street. Traffic also will be reduced to two lanes in each direction during much of the project, which is due to be completed in 2005.
“Route 8 will remain open — you will always be able to drive through the construction area,” says David Bennett, a spokesman for ODOT.
In addition to road and ramp resurfacing, the project includes new signage and lighting as well as the following:
• The East Market Street entrance ramp on to Route 8 is being eliminated to make way for an extended exit ramp to Perkins Street. The East Exchange Street exit from Rt. 8 southbound will be eliminated to improve safety.
• New service roads will be built between Carroll and Perkins streets on both sides of Route Rt. 8 to provide easier access not only to campus, but also to area hospitals, businesses and neighborhoods.
• The bridges along this 1.5 mile stretch of expressway are due for makeovers as well. Approaches to the Carroll Street and Buchtel Avenue bridges will be revamped and the steel structures will be repainted. The bridges over Route 8 on East Market and Forge streets will be torn down and rebuilt.
• Near the end of the project, work will begin on the Perkins Street bridge and ramps. The entrance ramp on to Route 8 will be lengthened almost to East Market Street.
With a volume of 120,000 cars per day on a roadway built in the mid-1950s for 20,000 cars, the reconstruction project is very necessary, says Bennett.
“State Route 8 within the city of Akron is overdue for reconstruction. Outdated ramps and the lack of service roads have made this section of Route 8 obsolete,” explains Bennett.
“By eliminating some of the ramps and extending the length of other ramps, as well as the addition of the new service roads, this section of Route 8 will better accommodate the travel demands of motorists now and in the future.”
| |
|
|
|
|
