Nineteen Summit County road construction projects, including six continuing and 13 new ones, will potentially draw the ire of drivers through the spring, summer and fall — the Ohio Department of Transportation unveiled its plans for 2025.
Included in the projects that will be completed is the I-76/I-77/state Route 8 Akron Beltway reconstruction, generally referred to in Akron as the Central Interchange project, that began in June of 2021.
ODOT expects to complete the project in July — it included extensive pavement replacement and resurfacing of multiple sections of the three roadways, plus the addition of a southbound lane on state Route 8 between Carroll and Beacon streets.
The project also included the re-alignment of left turn ramps (I-76 westbound to I-77 southbound and I-76 eastbound to state Route 8 northbound) to improve their turn radiuses.
Editor’s note: There are a number of traffic disruptions, particularly ramp closures, beginning Sunday night for the Central Interchange and other Summit County roadways — check here for the latest information.
“We know that drivers see ODOT’s orange barrels and cones as an inconvenience, but they are also a signal of progress and improvement,” Gov. Mike DeWine said during a Thursday press conference to kick off the construction season. “This year’s transportation projects will continue to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace, improving the quality of life for those who live, work and visit Ohio.”
Statewide, ODOT will spend $3.2 billion during the construction season on 955 projects, with 38 of them considered “major” with a value above $10 million.
To view the projects in each county, check out the online ODOT Construction Guide. Stay up to date on construction across the state by signing up for weekly bulletins or visiting the projects page on the ODOT website. You can also see where work might impact your commute or trip at OHGO.com.
Here are the local projects that are already underway (in addition to the Central Interchange project mentioned above), or that will begin soon in Summit County and Akron.
State Route 8 bridge replacement in Akron continues
Construction of the $158 million state Route 8 bridge replacement project in Akron continues, with workers constructing the first of two high-level bridges, one traveling south and one traveling north, over the Little Cuyahoga River.
Crews are currently constructing the southbound bridge’s deck, or driving surface. Throughout the summer, a series of six bridge deck pours (the driving surface of the bridge) will take place, with the goal of opening the bridge to traffic in late fall. Three lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained.
There will be various ramp closures at Glenwood Avenue and Perkins Street lasting from 14 days to two years. All detours will be posted.
The entire project, which began in August 2023, is expected to be completed in June 2028.
I-77 and state Route 93 microsurfacing
A $5 million project involving the microsurfacing of I-77 from just south of Ridgewood Road to just south of state Route 18 in Fairlawn and Coventry Township will begin in April. The project includes a second stretch of roadway along state Route 93 from just north of state Route 619 to south of I-277 in Coventry Township.
It is expected to be completed by July. Traffic will be maintained on I-77 and state Route 93 throughout construction.
(Editor’s note: According to ODOT, microsurfacing involves a thin (1/4 to 3/8 inches thick) surface coat of cold applied paving mixture composed of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, 100% crushed aggregate, mineral filler, water and other additives.
Microsurfacing is used to retard raveling, or the disintegration of the asphalt surface, oxidation, fill ruts, reduce the intrusion of water, improve surface friction and remove minor surface irregularities.)
I-480 bridge deck replacement and resurfacing
Replacement of the bridge decks on I-480 over Stow Road in Hudson and Twinsburg Township.
The $6.8 million project, which is expected to begin in June, also includes the resurfacing of I-480 from just north of Middleton Road to just south of Old Mill Road and on Stow Road under I-480. Expected completion is November of 2026.
Traffic will be maintained on I-480. Stow Road under I-480 will be closed for 365 days. All detours will be posted.
State Route 8 resurfacing in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls
The $7.4 million resurfacing of state Route 8 from just south of Tallmadge Avenue to Graham Road in the cities of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls will begin in April. The project will also include minor bridge repairs to 13 structures along the way.
Traffic will be maintained on state Route 8 with some nightly ramp closures on the weekends. All detours will be posted, and the project is expected to be complete by October.
State Route 8 resurfacing, northern Summit County
The $5.6 million resurfacing of state Route 8 from just south of Twinsburg Road to just north of I-271 in Macedonia, Boston Heights and Northfield Center Township also includes repairs to eight bridges.
The project is expected to start in April and finish in September — traffic will be maintained on state Route 8. Nightly ramp closures will occur on various weekends. All detours will be posted.
State Route 21 resurfacing
The $1.3 million resurfacing of state Route 21 between I-77 and the Cuyahoga County line in the Village of Richfield and Richfield Township will begin this September and end in November of 2026.
At least one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction on state Route 21.
State Route 82 bridge repairs
Minor repairs costing $4.2 million will be made to the state Route 82 bridge over the Cuyahoga River at the Summit County and Cuyahoga County line in Sagamore Hills Township.
The project includes concrete deck patching and expansion joint repairs — it is expected to begin in June and be completed in July of 2026.
Traffic will be maintained on state Route 82. The Towpath Trails under state Route 8 will not be closed at the same time. All detours will be posted.
State Route 82 resurfacing
Resurfacing of state Route 82 from the Cuyahoga County line east to state Route 8 and from Cannon Road to the Portage County line. The $3.4 million project includes minor bridge repairs — it is expected to begin in May and be completed by October.
All work will occur in the Twinsburg, Northfield Center, Sagamore Hills and Twinsburg Townships. Traffic will be maintained on state Route 82.
State Route 241 resurfacing
The $4.3 million project includes the resurfacing of state Route 241 from just south of Greensburg Road to just south of Boettler Road and from state Route 619 to just north of Krumroy Road in Green and Springfield Township. The project also includes minor bridge repairs.
The project is expected to begin in June and be completed by November. Traffic will be maintained on state Route 241.
All-America Bridge (State Route 261) repairs
Repairs to the state Route 261/All-America Bridge in Akron, including a replacement fence to help deter suicide attempts, will begin in June and continue through November. During the $2.4 million project, traffic will be maintained on state Route 261.
State Route 303 culvert replacement
State Route 303 will be closed for 21 days while a culvert is replaced just east of I-77 in Richfield Township.The $1 million project is expected to begin in June and be completed by October. Detours will be posted.
Wooster Road West reconstruction and resurfacing continues
This $10.2 million project includes the resurfacing of Wooster Road from 31st Street to Hudson Run Road, along with the reconstruction of Wooster Road from Hudson Run Road to 2nd Street in Barberton.
Sewer and drainage improvements will be made, along with new sidewalks, road diet and minor bridge repairs. Work to be performed in 2025 includes drainage, reconstruction of pavement and sidewalks on the north side of Wooster Road West.
Eastbound traffic on Wooster Road will be closed for a total of 250 days. Side street closures will occur for 21 days. All detours will be posted.
The project began in April of 2024 and is expected to be completed in September of 2025.
Highland and Valley View roads intersection improvements
Intersection improvements at Highland and Valley View roads. in Macedonia include extending the westbound left turn lane on Highland Road and widening Valley View Road to include left and right turn lanes.
The $3.2 million project, which will begin in May, also includes resurfacing, traffic signal installation and drainage improvements. It is expected to be completed in November of 2026.
Traffic will be maintained on Highland and Valley View roads during construction. Shephard Road will close for 21 days. A detour will be posted.
I-76 and I-277 resurfacing and bridge repairs continue
The $8.2 million project, which began in August of 2024 and should be completed in June, includes the resurfacing of the I-76/Kenmore Leg from I-277 to I-77 and on I-277 from East Avenue to I-77 in Akron.
Miscellaneous bridge repairs, including overlays and substructure repairs. Work to be completed in 2025 includes the resurfacing of the I-76/Kenmore Leg westbound and I-277 eastbound.
Multiple closures are associated with this project — check ODOT updates for Summit County for local traffic impacts. All detours will be posted.
I-76 pavement repairs in Akron and Tallmadge
Concrete pavement repairs will be made from just east of the Central Interchange to the Portage County line in the cities of Akron and Tallmadge. The $3.5 million project includes repairs to nine bridges — it is expected to begin in April and be completed in October.
Traffic will be maintained on I-76, but there will be occasional weekend ramp closures. All detours will be posted.
Interstate 77 widening between Everett Road and state Route 21 continues
This $54.6 million project includes the widening of I-77 from four to six lanes between Everett Road and state Route 21 in Bath and Richfield townships. Work to be completed this year includes the reconstruction of the I-77 outside lanes.
This continuing project began in February of 2024 and is expected to be completed in August of 2026 at a cost of $54.6 million.
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction on I-77, with various ramp closures ranging from 30 to 90 days in length. All detours will be posted.
Interstate 77 widening between Everett and Ghent roads
The widening of I-77 from four to six lanes between Everett and Ghent roads in Bath and Richfield townships will begin in June. The project also includes reconstruction of the I-77 and Ghent Road ramps and work on 12 bridges.
The $56.7 million project is expected to be completed in September of 2026.
Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction on I-77. Various ramp closures lasting from three to 45 days will occur. All detours will be posted.
I-77 noise wall construction in Akron continues
Noise walls will be constructed along I-77 between Waterloo Road and Lovers Lane in Akron. This continuing $11.9 million project, which started in November of 2024, is expected to be completed in September of 2025.
Traffic will be maintained on I-77 throughout construction.