11 ODOT projects planned around Stark County in 2024. See what roads are impacted

Grace Springer, Canton Repository
Updated ·6 min read
The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.

Road improvements, culvert replacements and a slope repair are among the 11 Ohio Department of Transportation projects happening in Stark County this year.

The department is investing $2.8 billion in 950 projects across the state, with $29.3 million in Stark County projects.

This year is a lighter construction year for Stark County. Last year, there were 16 projects for a total investment of $113.5 million.

Most of the Stark County projects are roadway improvements.

"The main goal here is to preserve those roadways, keep them in good shape for motorists to drive on for years to come," ODOT district 4 spokesman Justin Chesnic said. "There may be some slight inconveniences, you may have some delays, but once those projects are done, the roads are in a lot better shape."

Statewide, ODOT said 93 cents of every dollar is being spent to rehabilitate existing roads and bridges rather than building new ones.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.

Along with several new projects, a $7.2 million ongoing project in Massillon to widen state Route 241, also known as Wales Road NE, will conclude this year. The work began in 2022.

"Once the work's done, it will be a new, wider roadway. We added a turn lane out there, which helps improve safety and to reduce congestion," Chesnic said. "It should be a big improvement."

The last stages of the project will include widening of the roadway northbound between Rotch Avenue and Hills and Dales Road and final pavement placement.

Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz said he's excited to see the project wrap up this year.

"I live off of Wales Road, near Hills and Dales," he said. "Once it's done, it'll be beneficial to the side roads and the neighborhoods. ... There's going to be a turn lane so it'll be much easier to enter and exit."

Slutz said the road is one of the busiest in Massillon, and he hopes the widening project will improve traffic flow.

"Hopefully it alleviates some of the traffic accidents and traffic complaints that people have had throughout the years," he said.

Chesnic advised motorists to avoid distractions while driving and be extra alert in work zones.

"Those workers out there, whether they are ODOT workers or the contractor, that's their office, that's their workplace, and their goal is just like you and I, to get home at the end of the day safely to their loved ones," he said. "Slow down, pay attention, give yourself extra time if you know you're going to be driving through work zones."

Last year, there were 4,098 work zone-related crashes in the state with 36% occurring while workers were present, according to ODOT.

Route 21 work in Wayne County: Major state Route 21 improvement project begins. See which intersections are impacted

2024 ODOT District 4 Construction Guide by Rick Armon on Scribd

Here are the 11 projects planned for this year in Stark (detours will be posted):

1. State Route 241 widening (Massillon)

Project: Widening and resurfacing of Route 241 between Lincoln Way and Taggart Street in Massillon. Project also includes drainage improvements, the addition of sidewalks and signal upgrades.

  • Started: August 2022

  • Estimated end: July

  • Cost: $7.2 million

  • 2024 work: Roadway widening on Route 241 northbound between Rotch Avenue and Hills and Dales Road, final pavement placement.

  • Traffic impact: Lane reductions with flaggers and short-term side street closures.

2. U.S. Route 62, state Route 21 and state Route 619 microsurfacing (Navarre, Perry Township, Massillon, Lexington Township and Marlboro Township)

Project: Microsurfacing of U.S. Route 62 and state Route 21 from the northern Navarre corporation limit to just south of Route 30 in Navarre, Perry Township and Massillon. In Lexington and Marlboro Townships, microsurfacing on state Route 619 between Etter Road and Atwater Avenue.

  • Estimated start: May

  • Estimated end: September

  • Cost: $5 million

  • 2024 work: Roadway microsurfacing.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

3. Five culvert replacements (Canton, Sugar Creek Township and Sandy Township)

Project: Replacement of five culverts in Stark County. Two culverts are located on Interstate 77, south of Fulton Drive NW near the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. In Sugar Creek Township, one culvert is on U.S. Route 250, east of U.S. Route 62 and a second is on state Route 212, south of Amway Street. In Sandy Township, the culvert is on state Route 43, just north of Chapel Street SE.

  • Estimated start: June

  • Estimated end: November

  • Cost: $1 million

  • 2024 work: Roadway excavation and culvert replacements.

  • Traffic impact: Portions of Route 250, Route 43 and Route 212 will be closed for 14 days. Traffic on I-77 will be maintained during construction work.

4. U.S. Route 62 and state Route 93 resurfacing (Wilmot, Sugar Creek Township and Tuscarawas Township)

Project: Resurfacing of U.S. Route 62 from U.S. Route 250 to state Route 93, and on Route 93 between state Route 241 and state Route 172 in Wilmot, Sugar Creek Township and Tuscarawas Township.

  • Started: April

  • Estimated end: August

  • Cost: $1.5 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadways.

  • Traffic impact: Flaggers will maintain traffic on both roads.

5. U.S. Route 62 and state Route 183 resurfacing (Alliance)

Project: Resurfacing of U.S. Route 62 between state Route 183 and the Columbiana County line, and resurfacing of Route 183 from Beech Street to just north of Route 62 and from Main Street to north of Vine Street in Alliance.

  • Estimated start: May

  • Estimated end: August

  • Cost: $2.1 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadways.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

6. Interstate 77 resurfacing (Canton)

Project: Resurfacing of I-77 from just south of U.S. Route 62 to U.S. Route 30 in Canton. Also includes minor bridge repairs and cleaning.

  • Estimated start: September

  • Estimated end: August 2025

  • Cost: $1.3 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadway.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

7. State Route 43 and state Route 172 resurfacing (Canton)

Project: Resurfacing of state Route 43 from 12th Street to 55th Street, and state Route 172 from Whipple Avenue to I-77 in Canton.

  • Estimated start: August

  • Estimated end: August 2025

  • Cost: $3.6 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadways.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

8. State Route 21 resurfacing (Lawrence Township)

Project: Resurfacing of state Route 21 from the Wayne County line to River Road in Lawrence Township.

  • Estimated start: September

  • Estimated end: November 2025

  • Cost: $4.4 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadway.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

9. State Route 225 slope repairs (Lexington Township)

Project: Slope repairs on State Route 225 just north of Greenbower Street in Lexington Township.

  • Estimated start: April

  • Estimated end: July

  • Cost: $700,000

  • 2024 work: Slope repairs.

  • Traffic impact: State Route 225 will be closed for 21 days.

10. State Route 172 resurfacing (Massillon)

Project: Resurfacing of state Route 172 from 32nd Street to just west of state Route 21 in Massillon.

  • Estimated start: September

  • Estimated end: August 2025

  • Cost: $1.6 million

  • 2024 work: Resurfacing roadway.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

11. Interstate 77 retaining wall (Pike Township)

Project: Restore retaining wall on I-77 just north of Haut Street in Pike Township.

  • Started: March

  • Estimated end: August

  • Cost: $900,000

  • 2024 work: Retaining wall restoration.

  • Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained.

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will continue its $7.2 million widening project along Wales Road NE in Massillon this year. The project, which began in 2022, is scheduled to be complete in July.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: ODOT invests millions in 2024 Stark County road projects