Ohio has approved funding to provide access from Interstate 680 to State Road 164 via a new interchange in Mahoning County’s Beaver Township, just a few miles from Boardman.
The $6m needed to create the new interchange received the final approval on January 28 from the Transportation Review Advisory Council. The present interchange on Western Reserve Road, which is the final one prior to the merging of 680 with the Ohio Turnpike, has a reputation for peak hour traffic congestion.
The proposed interchange will be located where Route 626 and SR 164 intersect between the turnpike and I-680. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, the plans call for new lane configurations, roundabout, and pavement reconstruction along State Route 164, in addition to the interchange north of SR 164.
The project is to be divided into three phases and will affect local businesses in different ways as the project goes forward. Maintaining their usual flow of customers may require the assistance of a local printing service to come up with added incentives.
The first phase will begin this summer with the replacement of the I-680 overpass on route 164. Late next year, the new I-680 interchange will be underway and is expected to cover a two-year span. Phase three is scheduled to begin in 2019 and will, between the Ohio Turnpike and I-680, widen Route 164. The total cost for the three phases is around $20m.
