HOWLAND TWP., Ohio - Drivers might want to avoid that construction zone at Routes 82 and 46 in Howland, known as the diverging diamond.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says beginning Tuesday, September 3, cars and trucks could encounter fifteen-minute periods of stopped traffic as workers put bridge beams in place.  The work is scheduled to take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Friday.

In addition, beginning Wednesday and continuing through Friday, the ramp from State Route 46 southbound to State Route 82 eastbound will be closed. The detour will be State Route 46 south to State Route 82 west to Elm Rd. to State Route 82 east.

The ramp from State Route 82 eastbound to State Route 46 northbound remains closed through next spring. The detour is from State Route 82 east to State Route 193 to State Route 82 west to State Route 46.

One of the busiest corridors in Trumbull County, 50,000 cars and trucks traveled through the intersection each day before construction began a year ago.

State officials say that between 2012 and 2016 there were 159 crashes at the SR 46 and SR 82 ramp intersections, and another sixty crashes north of the intersection on Route 46.

The key difference from conventional interchanges is how the DDI handles left turns. The crossovers are designed to gently transition traffic from the right side of the road to the left side of the road and then back again.

Because traffic is on the left-hand side between the crossovers, all left turns occur without having to cross opposing traffic.