STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — The traffic at I-71 and Route 82 can be described as congested, slow-moving and time-consuming. That area is the main thoroughfare to get in and out of Strongsville.
For more than three decades, there has been discussion about building a Strongsville-Brunswick I-71 interchange at Boston Road and Howe Road. Nothing has ever taken shape.
Now, the long-awaited exit may be closer to becoming a reality.
"There is a study. We are all waiting for it," says Strongsville Mayor Tom Perciak. "We were at least hoping to have a draft by today (Monday). But to speculate what the study says, I have no idea."
South of Strongsville, there is plenty of congestion at the I-71 and Route 303 exit in Brunswick, though not nearly as bad as it is at Route 82.
Ed Radzyminski lives near the site of the proposed Boston Road/Howe Road exit near North Carpenter Road.
"I believe the solution to all of this is in the widening of Howe Road, creating one lane north, one lane south and a turning lane," he says.
Anyone who drives here knows change is needed. Strongsville Councilman At-Large Jim Carbone says time is needed to pick the right spot for a ramp.
"We need something. We need something. But it has to be the right plan," he states.
At the end of March, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a $13.5 billion transportation budget, with part of those funds going for the interchange. Brunswick residents are not happy about the governor's decision or anything that puts an exit ramp into their city.
During Monday's Strongsville City Council meeting, a resident of Strongsville seemed to oppose the idea of an intersection. "The traffic problem you guys keep referencing with Howe Road is a problem of your own making," he said.
As part of the budget DeWine signed, Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) inserted language into House Bill 23 that requires the Ohio Department of Transportation "to ensure that limited access exit and entrance ramps to interstate highways exist at least every 4.5 miles in adjacent municipal corporations."
The exits on I-71 at routes 82 and 303 are approximately six miles away from each other.
Radzyminski says he has seen changes to his city of Strongsville. He's hoping a better place to ease this congestion will avoid him leaving his home.
"It's a wonderful little area. It's a great place to be," he adds.
Even if planners find a spot that both cities agree on, it could take up to five years for construction to even begin.