Motorists are getting a reprieve from shutdowns at Akron’s central interchange.
Late last night, the Ohio Department of Transportation posted on Twitter and Facebook that ramp closures have been postponed until further notice for the ramp from I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound and the ramp from state Route 8 southbound to I-76 westbound.
About 35,000 motorists using downtown Akron’s central interchange each workday were expected to find new routes for the morning commute. The two one-lane ramps from northbound I-77 and southbound Route 8 will eventually be closed for bridge removal, which could last nearly four months.
The 35,000 motorists is the same number as on the Ohio Turnpike in Hudson — going both directions, on six lanes.
Suggested alternates for I-77 northbound will be the I-277/U.S. 224 bypass, or main arteries into downtown, among them South Main and Arlington streets.
The suggested alternate for Route 8 southbound to West Akron is the Perkins Street/Route 59/Innerbelt. To Barberton and points west, the best route is to continue on I-77 south to the I-277/U.S. 224 bypass.
No updates have been announced about ODOT’s earlier announcement that beginning Wednesday night, the southbound I-77 ramp through the interchange also would close. Follow www.Ohio.com on Wednesday for updates to traffic conditions. For real-time traffic flow, see www.ohgo.com.