AKRON, Ohio — With proposed plans for “major repairs and improvements” in place for the Kenmore Leg in Akron, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now seeking comments from the public about the future construction project.
That’s why ODOT held a public meeting Tuesday at the Innes Community Learning Center on East Avenue in Akron. ODOT says the intent of the open house meeting “is to present the recommended alternative to ensure the best possible decisions are made” for the community.
WHAT ARE THE KENMORE LEG PLANS?
“The proposed project would improve safety, reduce traffic congestion, maintain deteriorating pavement and bridges and modernize the Kenmore Leg,” ODOT officials said in a press release. “The project would also include various other improvements along the Kenmore Leg such as the construction of new ‘braided’ ramps, the closure of Morse Street to through traffic beneath the Kenmore Leg and noise wall construction.”
The Kenmore Leg, which is the stretch of interstate that connects I-77/I-76 to I-76/I-277/US 224, is no stranger to traffic changes and construction projects.
“The Kenmore Leg has been utilized in recent years to handle additional traffic flow when ramps at the Central Interchange and other parts of the Akron highway system were closed for various construction projects,” according to ODOT. “To accommodate this additional traffic flow on the Kenmore Leg, ODOT restriped the roadway from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction and restriped one lane ramps to provide two lanes. These lane additions are being made permanent in the Kenmore Leg improvement project. In addition to this work, the pavement along the Kenmore Leg will be completely reconstructed and six bridges will be widened.”
ODOT says construction could begin as early as 2027 “depending on the availability of funding.” The projected cost is listed at approximately $125 million.
“Additional costs for design and right-of-way acquisition are not included,” according to ODOT. “The estimate will be refined as project development continues. Funding will come through a variety of federal and state resources.”
CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROPOSED PROJECT
As outlined by ODOT's site, the project proposes to:
- Fully reconstruct 2.86 miles of I-76 between the I-76/I-77 interchange and the I-76/I-277/US-224 interchange
- Pavement base will be replaced
- Widen I-77 and reconstruct/reconfigure the I-76/I-77 interchange
- Widen/replace/repair several bridges
- Construct retaining walls
- Construct noise walls
- Reconfigure ramps near Morse Street
- “Braided” ramp alternative
- Closure of Morse Street to through traffic beneath the Kenmore Leg
WHAT ARE BRAIDED RAMPS?
“Currently, southbound I-77 traffic enters the northern end of the Kenmore Leg and ‘weaves’ together with eastbound I-76 traffic, which often causes traffic congestion from drivers attempting competing lane changes,” according to ODOT. “The same situation occurs in the opposite direction, where westbound I-277 traffic enters the southern end of the Kenmore Leg and “weaves” together with westbound I-76 traffic.”
ODOT says the use of braided ramps is the recommended alternative to “help fix the existing traffic weave.”
But what is a braided ramp?
"Braided ramps cross each other with one ramp using a bridge to cross over the other ramp below,” ODOT explains. “This configuration separates traffic and reduces congestion caused by traffic weaving together by changing lanes. More drivers will now be able to stay in the same lane when entering and leaving the Kenmore Leg.”
ODOT says building these new ramps would mean the I-76 bridges over Morse Street “will be removed and replaced with earthen fill, retaining walls and new bridges for the braided ramps.”
“So Morse Street will be permanently closed to through traffic at the Kenmore Leg,” according to ODOT’s plan. “Cul-de-sacs will be constructed on both sides of Morse Street at the Kenmore Leg.”
TIMELINE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
ODOT says the Kenmore Leg improvement project follows completion of these two construction efforts that are currently underway:
- I-77 widening between Arlington Road and US 224 (2021-2024)
- Akron Beltway improvement project: I-77, I-76/I-77, Central Interchange (2021-2025)
The estimated timeline for the Kenmore Leg project is tentatively set for May 2027 - July 2030.
REACTION TO THE PROPOSED KENMORE LEG PLANS
When ODOT District 4 shared their request for public input regarding the Kenmore Leg project on Facebook last month, there were hundreds of comments -- which you can explore in the post below.
At Tuesday's meeting, 3News spoke to several residents, and encountered a wide range of reactions.
"I'm not fond of the fact that they're going to cut off Morse Road [sic], which is a major east-west connector," Martin Duffy said.
Others were happy with the noise wall plans.
"I believe it's going to help us, because we get all that sound that comes right off the highway," Vincent Taylor, whose home is right next to the road, told us. "We're right to the back of the highway, and putting up the walls, I'm in agreement with."
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