State Route 8 Phase I Project Overview
State Route 8 and Interstate 271 in Boston Heights, Hudson, Macedonia and Northfield Center Township
Phase I of the major new construction and reconstruction of SR 8 from approximately 1,000-feet south of Twinsburg Road to approximately 1,000-feet north of I-271 began in spring 2007. This $120 million project will turn SR 8 into a limited-access highway with less congestion, fewer traffic signals (stops and starts), and better access to and from I-271/SR 8 and to and from Highland Road.
ODOT and Beaver Excavating Company of Canton began substructure work on the Brandywine Creek bridge, shoulder reinforcements along the I-271 ramps, and clearing the right-of-way along SR 8 in February 2007.
The Highland Road/SR 8 intersection reconstruction was completed by July 2007. Included was upgrading the drainage systems, adding two left turn lanes on westbound Highland Road to southbound SR 8, adding two left turn lanes on southbound SR 8 to eastbound Highland Road from southbound SR 8, pavement resurfacing, new curbs, and new sidewalks and sidewalk ramps.
Over three quarters of a million cubic yards of dirt was trucked in to build the new SR 8 ramps to and from I-271. This was approximately 37,500 20-ton dump trucks. With the incline beginning 1500 feet north of Twinsburg Road, the new ramp rises 20-25 feet above mainline SR 8 before crossing over the southbound SR 8 traffic and continuing west rises over Highland Avenue and turning east as the ramps connect to I-271. The dirt had to have time to settle before the weight of the new ramps could be constructed on top of it. This scientifically calculated process was continually monitored by ODOT. Once the new ramps are completed, motorists will be able to go north on I-271 from southbound SR 8. The existing northbound SR 8 ramp to northbound I-271 will be eliminated. ODOT anticipates the new ramps to open to traffic by late 2009.
The Phase I project requires the construction of five new bridges and the widening and re-decking modifications to six existing bridges. 2.5 million pounds of reinforcing steel and 8 million pounds of new structural steel will be brought to the area in order to perform this work.
There will be approximately 120 light poles and 16 high mast lighting towers added to the area.
78,388 square feet of two sections of noise walls will be constructed as part of the SR 8 Phase I project. One section will be located along the southbound SR 8 ramp and southbound I-271. The other noise wall will be constructed along the south side of northbound I-271 just east of SR 8 and north of Highland Road.
Another major operation of this project that began in 2007 was the SR 8 separation from Twinsburg Road. Twinsburg Road was closed while ODOT and Beaver Excavating reconstructed SR 8 to rise approximately 25 feet and cross over Twinsburg Road.
Construction of the entire SR 8 Phase I project was expected to take three years to complete (2010). However, with innovation by ODOT/District 4 and Beaver Excavating Company, all lanes will open to the public almost a year in advance (fall 2009).