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Watch for work zones as summer travel season begins

COLUMBUS — The Memorial Day holiday is the unofficial start to summer and the beginning of the summer driving season. It’s also well into Ohio’s road construction busy-season, which means holiday travelers will see orange barrels.

“We really need drivers to pay extra attention when passing through work zones. Even though we do what we can to make them as safe as possible, work zones can be dangerous places,” said Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray. “Last year, there were 6,041 work zone crashes resulting in 28 deaths. Drivers need to slow down and be alert, especially in work zones.”

We typically see a 14 percent increase in traffic on Ohio roadways during the Memorial Day weekend. That makes it the fourth highest traveled holiday of the year. This year will be no different, with AAA predicting 1.4 million Ohioans will drive more than 50 miles from home during the holiday, an increase of 2.2 percent.

Due to these increases, ODOT works to reduce the size and impact of work zones as much as possible over the holiday weekend. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead by following ODOT’s social media accounts for traffic alerts and checking OHGO.com and the OHGO app to see work zone locations, live traffic conditions, and more than 600 live traffic cameras.

ODOT is also working with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to encourage those traveling by vehicle to buckle up. More than 130 digital highway message boards will display “CLICK IT OR TICKET” and “BUCKLE UP BUCKEYES” over the Memorial Day holiday. Last year, of the 15 traffic deaths over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, four were not wearing a seat belt.

Below are some of the state’s highway projects that could impact travel:

∫ Interstate 70, Belmont County — I-70 twin bridge replacements on Lady Bend Hill near U.S. 40 (exit 204) between Morristown and Barnesville. Two lanes of traffic are maintained in each direction.

∫ U.S. 22/Ohio 7, Jefferson County — Construction along U.S. 22, Ohio 7 and University Boulevard. Ramps and new intersections will connect Ohio 7 south of the current University Boulevard intersection as well as a new intersection along University Boulevard. The ramps leading onto the Veterans Memorial Bridge from University Boulevard and from U.S. 22 to Seventh Street and University Boulevard will be reconfigured as well. Traffic is maintained.

∫ State Route 7, Jefferson County — From Martins Ferry to Mingo Junction, Ohio 7 is reduced to one lane in each direction in various locations for multiple bridge projects and landslide repairs.

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