GOVERNOR'S JOBS AND PROGRESS PLAN TO FUND
IMPROVEMENTS TO CENTRAL INTERCHANGE, KENMORE LEG AND MORE
ODOT officials, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Summit County
Executive James McCarthy today announced a state plan to invest nearly $400 million in the
Summit County/Akron/Canton transportation network through 2010. |
Through Governor Taft's Jobs and Progress Plan, the state Transportation Review Advisory
Committee yesterday allocated new funding for projects aimed at improving Interstate 77,
State Route 8 and Interstate 76, including the Kenmore Leg, the Central Interchange and
the West Leg. A study of the I-76/I-80 highway
corridor is currently in progress. However, this new funding commitment will now allow
these projects to continue through the next phase of development and |
 |
| Mayor Don Plusquellic with Summit County
Executive James B. McCarthy (right) with Mohamed Darwish, director of district 4 of the
Ohio Department of Transportation at Mayor Plusquellic's weekly news conference. Mr.
Darwish announced a broad series of interstate highway improvements that could be worth
$800 million to the Akron region. |
|
could lead to $500 million in additional
funding for improving the corridor.
"Through Governor Taft's initiative, we are poised to
begin the process of improving safety and mobility throughout this congested, yet vital
stretch of I-76, " said Mohamed Darwish, ODOT District 4 Deputy Director. |
Improvements to the transportation system are an important
component for progress and economic development in Akron and Summit County.
"We are grateful to ODOT for securing the funding for
this project. It has done fine work on Route 8 and the East Expressway," Plusquellic
said. "These infrastructure investments are critical to our community and the
region."
"The improvements to our highways will assure the
continued growth and development of Summit County," McCarthy said. " Many
communities will benefit from these long-awaited projects."
Projects include:
- SR-8 from SR-303 to I-271 in northern Summit County. $142
million total project cost.
- I-77 from Copley Road to SR-21 in Summit County. $46 million
total project cost.
- Preliminary development and design for the I-76 corridor
from SR-21 to the Central Interchange. $24 million approved; $549 million total project
cost.
- I-77 from SR-241 to the Akron-Canton airport. $34.4 million
total project cost.
-30- |
