The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 11 began work March 10 to improve safety and reduce congestion from the Interstate 77 Interchange at Dover in Tuscarawas County to Renner Road. ODOT also is elevating SR 39 west of Saltwell Road.

Work includes intersection reconstruction and widening work from the I-77 Interchange to Renner Road, including the intersections of SR 39 and SR 516 and SR 39 and Saltwell Road, installation of a new traffic signal at SR 516, and construction of a new bridge over the Tuscarawas River.

ODOT District 11 Deputy Director Dick Bible said, “Crews [began] installing signs for the construction work zone, and then [followed] up with clearing work.”

A temporary traffic signal was installed at the intersection of SR 516 and SR 39 the week of March 17, and beginning March 21, a concrete barrier was installed through the length of the project, limiting the width of each lane to 11 ft.

“To minimize the inconvenience caused by this work, we’ve included special contract provisions prohibiting work on holidays and during peak travel times associated with the Tuscarawas County Fair and Swiss Festival in September,” said Bible.

Additionally, the speed limit through the construction work zone was be reduced to 35 mph, and an advisory speed of 25 mph was posted from the I-77 Interchange to SR 516 to increase awareness and promote safety throughout the area.

Bible said, “The citizens of this area deserve the most reliable and safest transportation system their tax dollars can provide, and that’s the basis for this project.”

ODOT’s contractor for this $6.3 million project is J.D. Williamson Construction Co. Inc. of Tallmadge, Ohio, and the completion date is Aug. 31, 2009.

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