COLUMBUS, Ohio - Construction work along Howland's busy highways could get busier after state officials take a final vote later this month on funding projects designed to improve safety at three intersections in the township.

On Wednesday, the Ohio Transportation Review Advisory Council released its 2024 draft list of projects to receive funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation's Major New Capacity Program.

Included is a three-part, $6 million project that includes improvements to the intersection of State Route 46 and Warren-Sharon Road with the addition of turn lanes.

 

  ODOT

 In a letter to the Ohio Department of Transportation, Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith said proposed improvements to the Route 46 and Warren Sharon Road intersection are "vital for the overall success of the SR 82 and SR 46 corridor improvements."

Part two would reconfigure the Howland-Wilson Road and State Route 82 intersection restricting traffic to right turns in, and right turns out from Route 82 onto Howland Wilson.

The project would restrict access to the State Route 82/Howland Wilson Road intersection by eliminating left-turn movements from eastbound and westbound Route 82. 

The plan also calls for the removal of the existing traffic signal and cul-de-sac northbound and southbound Howland Wilson Road while still maintaining access for vehicles turning right on Howland-Wilson Road. No new permanent and temporary right-of-way is anticipated for the project.

 

  ODOT

 Part 3 of the project includes a new signal at State Route 46 and Howland-Springs Road.

The improvements are considered part of the ongoing conversion of the existing interchange at State Routes 46 and 82 to a Diverging Diamond Interchange which got underway last year.

The plans are included in the Transportation Review Advisory Council’s 2024 draft list of projects to receive funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation's Major New Capacity Program. It is among $127.3 million in new funding commitments for 18 projects over the next four years.

The public can comment on the draft list by emailing trac@dot.ohio.gov until February 23, 2024. TRAC will vote on the final list at their February 28 meeting.