The Ohio Department of Transportation hosted an open house last Thursday July 25, 2013 to show the public plans for an improved Interstate 76/77 interchange in Akron. The plan is aggressive and calls for major changes. The plan also calls for the purchase of a number of commercial buildings and homes in the area surrounding the current interchange. The plan includes:
• Shutting down the nearby Wolf Ledges Parkway/Grant Street interchange.
• Abandoning a portion of South Broadway at the highway.
• Relocating a part of South Main on the south end, and turning it from a one-way street into a two-way road from near GOJO Industries to Miller Avenue.
• Tearing down homes along West South Street for a new exit ramp from eastbound I-76/77.
ODOT is hoping work will start in 2016. However, this is not a certainty. Money is understandably an issue for the over $95 million project. Things are looking good though. The project has been tabbed as a Tier 1 recommendation in the Governor’s new $3 billion transportation funding plan.
Assuming the money does come through, the impacts on area landowners will be substantial. As mentioned earlier, the project will require the purchase of a number of commercial buildings and homes in the area. There will also be other property impacts of a less substantial nature. Property owners should begin considering their options and formulating a plan ASAP. Remember, ODOT is required to pay just compensation for the taking of any property.
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For more information about the eminent domain attorneys at Sever Walker Padgitt, or if you are involved in your own eminent domain dispute, please contact our office at any time at 1-888-318-3761 or visit us on the web at https://landownerattorneys.com/.
