The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has announced the results of the studies on the mock closure of Brookwood Road in Boardman conducted as part of the proposed safety improvement project at the intersection of SR-7 and Market Street with Shields Road, Indianola Road, and Brookwood Road.

The goal is to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety at the five-way intersection. The recommended alternative would turn Brookwood Road into a cul-de-sac and create a four-way intersection for Market Street, Shields Road, and Indianola Road.

In response to concerns expressed at a public meeting back in the fall of 2021, ODOT conducted a mock closure of Brookwood Road to fully study this alternative.

The initial data and public feedback of the mock closure were favorable, so ODOT chose to maintain it until the data was further analyzed and the findings could be shared with the township and local stakeholders.

These findings were presented to Boardman Trustees and stakeholders in May of 2023. The township had asked ODOT to consider modifying the proposed cul-de-sac to lessen impacts on nearby properties.

Upon further review, the cul-de-sac was removed and instead, the roadway will terminate with the installation of signing and a grass area to minimize impacts to these nearby properties.

Due to the positive reception of the mock closure and the meeting with the township and stakeholders, ODOT chose to permanently close the intersection of SR-7 and Brookwood Road.

ODOT will also be implementing other improvements to the intersection including pedestrian enhancements and reducing the number of entry and exit points to the nearby Shell gas station by closing the western Indianola Road driveway and changing the Southern Market Street driveway to right-in only.

This is expected to require temporary access to one property. ODOT will contact the owner of this property regarding this temporary right-of-way acquisition beginning in June.

The current closure of Brookwood Road will remain until construction begins in the spring of 2025. During the construction period, one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction along SR-7 and Market Street, Shields Road, and Indianola Road.

Access to adjacent properties will be maintained during construction.