Point Improvement Project

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The project will relieve congestion and increase safety along U.S. 36 and Ohio 37 by increasing the number of lanes beneath the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge. Other benefits:

• Multi-use path on the north side of 36/37 extending to the Ohio 521 intersection and sidewalk along the north side of 36/37 extending east to Bowtown Road
• Dual approach lanes west of the bridge will allow more traffic through the signal on each green light
• Intersection improvements at Bowtown Road and at Ohio 521, including additional turn lanes
• Improvements to water mains, storm sewers, street lighting and landscaping

The Ohio Department of Transportation is managing the project and awarded a construction contract to Shelly & Sands. The completion date is summer 2026. The total project cost is $44,360,000.

Beginning April 13, 2026, Central Avenue will be closed to through traffic in both directions for up to 45 days between Lake Street and the railroad bridge at the Point. This closure is necessary to accommodate roadway widening work on Central Avenue between East Street and East William Street. See the Central Closure Exhibits(PDF, 652KB) for more information.

What to Expect:

• Full closure of Central Avenue to through traffic (both directions) between Lake Street and the railroad bridge at the Point for up to 45 days.
• Detour routes will be clearly marked, utilizing William Street and Lake Street for all eastbound and westbound Central Avenue traffic.
• The Central & Lake intersection will remain open, but Central Avenue at the east leg of the intersection will be fully closed between Lake Street and Potter Street.
• Central Avenue between Potter Street and East Street will remain open to local traffic, accessible via all the side streets including Potter Street, Richardson Street, Channing Street, Hammond Street, Wade Street, and Parker Street.
• East Street and Moore Street will only be accessible from Fair Avenue (not from Central).
• Foley Street will only be accessible from William Street (not from Central).
• During the detour, Winter Street will be restricted to right-in/right-out turns only on both sides of Lake Street.
• On-street parking restrictions on Lake Street near Central Avenue to allow for shifts in the traffic lanes.
• The evening of Sunday April 12, crews will make changes to the traffic signal at the Central & Lake intersection to prepare for the closure. Traffic will be maintained.

The Point Improvement Project, a long-term investment to improve safety, traffic flow, and infrastructure at one of the community’s most critical gateways, has entered its final year, with several major milestones anticipated in the coming months ahead of its August 2026 completion. Read more about project progress.

Overall Project Schedule:

• 2023: Construction begins; utility re-location, site work, EB 36/37 work
• 2024: Phased roadway work; placement of temporary RR bridge; demolition of old bridge
• 2025: Road work west of bridge; construction of permanent bridge
• 2026: August completion of project

• October 2022 presentation to City Council members(PDF, 2MB)
• Project Fact Sheet(PDF, 286KB)
• Renderings(PDF, 6MB)
• Roadway Layout(PDF, 3MB)
• Watch our video to learn about the issue and how the City and ODOT worked to fix the problem

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