Construction at junction of Route 11 and U.S. 224 worries Canfie - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

Construction at junction of Route 11 and U.S. 224 worries Canfield business owners

Traffic is almost always backed up near Raccoon road and route 224 in Canfield. Now a major construction project at that intersection and at the bridge going over Route 11 is set to begin to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow.

The project will focus on three main areas: the Route 11 southbound exit ramp, the Raccoon road intersection and the widening of the bridge itself.

Local businesses area already concerned about how it will effect them. Zenobia restaurant in Canfield says they get customers who specifically dine there so they can avoid the heavy traffic on 224 in Boardman. "I'm happy they're doing the bridge, but I'm not happy because it will hurt the business so much from the traffic in one lane," says Addihar Mansour. "Usually when we have the Canfield Fair we have tough business."

Lanes will be added and widened on 224, so businesses like Something New are going to be effected. They are going to lose their sign and some parking spaces to make room for that extra lane.

"We are concerned because coming in and out of our parking lot is a chore already," says Anna Howell of Something New. "But now with all the construction I think it's going to deter people from coming here and shopping and it's definitely going to effect our business."

"Obviously people are going to be concerned about it when they come through here," says Michael Naffa of Inner Circle Pizza. "The fortunate thing for us is we do have access coming in to the Ironwood project from Raccoon Road but people in their minds are going to think we don't know what it's going to be like let's hope it's not like Poland because that was a little bit of a problem."

ODOT admits the construction will have some effect on Canfield Fair traffic around Labor day.

The $5.4 million project is expected to wrap up in October.

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