Covered by Documenter:

Rick Bohan (read his notes here)

Drivers using Carroll Street on-ramp would pass over traffic merging onto I-76 and I-77

Traveling south on state Route 8 may become more difficult before it gets better for motorists. ODOT officials recently held a public hearing in Akron to gather input about their developing plans for the major artery.

While the public turnout was minimal, the impacts to travel near the city’s Central Interchange could be extensive. Ideas include removing bridges, adding lanes, detours, “braided” ramps and connections for the Rubber City Heritage Trail. 

The project price tag is estimated at $50 million and would not be completed until 2030, according to the ODOT website. The area affected area if construction is approved later this year would be Interstate 77 north of Lovers Lane to Perkins Street on Route 8, north of the Central Interchange. 

Route 8 construction, Ohio Department of Transportation
ODOT map shows proposed changes to state Route 8 south of Perkins Street to the Central Interchange. Credit: (Courtesy of the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Plans call for ‘braided’ ramp at Carroll Street on-ramp

Documenter Rick Bohan attended the March 6 public meeting at the Akron-Summit County Public Main Library. He learned that planners, after reviewing three options using “braided” ramps, are recommending adding one at the Carroll Street on-ramp entering southbound Route 8 as one of the solutions to lessen traffic congestion.  

Currently traffic using this on-ramp must contend with Route 8 drivers moving to the right lanes to exit the freeway for I-76/77 west at the Central Interchange.

“Braided ramps cross each other with one ramp using a bridge to cross over the ramp below. This configuration separates traffic and eliminates backups from traffic weaving together,” according to the ODOT website for this project. 

State Route 8 construction, Ohio Department of Transportation, Carroll Street
This map shows plans to add a “braided” ramp at the southbound Carroll Street on-ramp to state Route 8. Transportation planners with the Ohio Department of Transportation say this will relieve congestion on southbound Route 8 because drivers on the highway will pass under drivers entering from Carroll Street instead of merging as they do now. Credit: (Courtesy of the Ohio Department of Transportation.)

Once completed, southbound Carroll Street on-ramp drivers will cross over an exit lane that Route 8 southbound drivers will use to exit to I-76 east or I-76/77 west/north.

Drivers on the new southbound Carroll Street on-ramp will no longer be able access I-76 east or 1-76/77 west/north. 

This solution is the least expensive of the three options, with an estimated cost of $27 million. There would be no relocation of existing properties with this solution.

Goodkirk Street down to one-lane, future of Don Drumm artwork unclear

Goodkirk Street, which runs parallel to Route 8 on the west side of the roadway, would become a single lane from Carroll Street to East Exchange Street.

Don Drumm, Goodkirk Street retaining wall, Ohio Department of Transportation, Route 8
This retaining wall on Goodkirk Street near the University of Akron campus may be removed as part of a project designed to alleviate congestion along state Route 8. The wall features a 65-year-old mural by Akron artist Don Drumm. Credit: (Courtesy of the Ohio Department of Transportation)

It’s unclear in ODOT’s presentation what would happen to a 270-foot retaining wall along Goodkirk Street that features a 65-year-old Don Drumm mural.

Drumm is an Akron artist who “has been a pioneer in the use of contemporary building materials, and techniques for the creation of Arts and crafts,” according to his website.

Comments accepted about Route 8 project until April 5

Other proposed improvements in the overall project include:

  • Additional travel lanes for south and northbound Route 8
  • Removal of state Route 8 bridges over Beacon Street
  • Box culvert underpass for future Rubber City Heritage Trail
  • Construct noise walls, if warranted
  • Resurface or replace pavement
  • Install new lighting and signs
  • Replace the Carroll Street Route 8 Bridge

Comments from the public accepted through April 5. 

  • Go here to leave comments
  • Contact Robert Lang, an environmental specialist with ODOT
    • Email: Robert.Lang@dot.ohio.gov
    • Call: 330-786-4975
    • Mail: Robert Lang, Ohio Department of Transportation – District 4, 2088 S. Arlington Rd. Akron, Ohio 44306

Community Journalism Director (he/him)
Kevin leads the Akron Documenters program at Signal Akron, connects with the community and supports the journalists in the newsroom. With a servant leader mindset, he brings more than 30 years of experience in local journalism, media consulting, and education to Akron. Editor & Publisher selected Kevin as top media leader in their “25 over 50” class in 2022. Members of the group were selected for their “strong work ethic, transformational mindsets, commitment to journalistic and publishing excellence, and their ability to lead during challenging times.” Kevin is committed to serving the residents of Akron with an optimistic, inclusive, and innovative mindset to help elevate civic engagement and local journalism.

Akron Documenters trains and pays residents to document local government meetings with notes and live-tweet threads. We then make those meeting summaries available as a new public record.