JOSEPH E. SHAW, P.E., PS.

The holidays are behind us and Sylvania is counting the weeks down to when Mother Nature will show us some relief from this brutal winter. The much-anticipated relief will also take the US-23 and Monroe Street interchange project out of hibernation and into Season Two work in early spring.
In Season One the new southbound on-ramp was opened to traffic and the new northbound off-ramp will be ready for traffic later this summer. The new substructure and beams have been set for the widened south side of the Monroe Street bridge over US-23 and major utility relocation work by First Energy (transmission), Toledo Edison (distribution), Columbia Gas, city of Sylvania (water), Frontier Communications, and Buckeye Cable are all nearing completion.
Season Two will include the most impactful and significant work of the project to the Sylvania community. There is a lot of chatter and anticipation about what motorists, businesses, and residents can expect.
Below are the top 10 questions the Service Department has heard over the last year leading up to this phase of the project along with answers to help you prepare. One of our great Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, said it best, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Question 1 – Is the Monroe Street bridge closing and for how long?
Answer – Yes, the bridge will be closing to all traffic for 150 days beginning March 8, weather permitting. The 150-day duration was established by the contractor, Miller Brothers Construction, in their bid for the project.

Question 2 – Where are the Monroe Street and Alexis Road closure limits?
Answer – Monroe Street will be closed just east of Glasgow Road to just west of Acres Road. Alexis Road will be closed from Monroe Street to just west of Acres Road.

Question 3 – Will the interchange ramps remain open during the bridge closure?
Answer – Yes, all interchange ramps will remain open during the closure EXCEPT the westbound to northbound US-23 ramp nearest to Cushman Road, which will close permanently in March. There may be also periodic ramp closures (less than seven days at a time) when old ramps are closed and traffic is moved over to the new ramps. Any ramp closures will be posted 14 days or more in advance.

Question 4 – What will the posted detour be?
Answer – US-23 ramp detour signage will be posted at the Sterns Road, Corey Road, and Dorr Street interchanges. Local detour routing will not be posted, but anticipated heavy use routes will be Harroun Road, Holland-Sylvania Road, Sylvania Avenue, Corey Road, and Whiteford Road. Motorists should expect increased travel times on all adjacent local routes.

Question 5 – Is Monroe Street getting resurfaced?
Answer – Yes, Monroe Street will be resurfaced from the interchange to Nantuckett Drive in West Toledo as a part of this project. Work is scheduled to commence in May with nighttime milling and paving operations. Motorists can expect lane restrictions and travel time delays on Monroe Street for around 30 to 45 days while this work is completed.

Question 6 – What is happening to Seney Park?
Answer – Seney Park (named after the late, former Sylvania Mayor James Seney) will remain after the project, but will have a smaller footprint due to the new intersection configuration. After the ODOT interchange work has been completed the Park will have new trees, signage, and sidewalks to continue to honor the former Mayor for his 26 years of public service to our community.

Question 7 – What is happening to Acres Road?
Answer – Three traffic signals on the east side of the interchange are being reduced to one new signal at the intersection of Monroe Street, Alexis Road, and the northbound US-23 on/off-ramps. Acres Road will be removed between Alexis Road and Monroe Street. Also, the Alexis Road and Acres Road traffic signal is being removed and a new median will be installed from Monroe Street to just west of Taco Bell. Acres Road will be accessible to Alexis Road as a new right-in, right-out only unsignalized approach.

Question 8 – Is the City going to plant new trees?
Answer – Yes! A beautification project plan for after the ODOT interchange work has been completed by the city to plant new trees, install gateway signage, and beautify our most seen entry point to the city.

Question 9 – What should I do to prepare?
Answer – We ask that all residents and businesses begin to think about your daily and weekly routines and how the bridge closure may not only have an impact on your travel times and commutes but those of your vendors. Plan detour routes and allocate additional time accordingly. Most importantly, have patience with your fellow motorists and all construction workers building this important improvement for our community.

Question 10 – Who can I call with additional questions?
Answer – You can call the ODOT District 2 Public Information Office at 419-373-4428.

Joe Shaw P.E., P.S., is the city of Sylvania’s Director of Public Safety & Service.