The US 224 corridor through Canfield and Boardman Townships has been a chronic area for congestion and safety concerns. A safety study along US 224 between SR 11 and I-680 was undertaken by ODOT in 2002 because there were segments of the roadway and several intersections included on ODOT’s list of high crash locations. Upon completion of the safety study in early 2003, it became apparent that something bigger than a safety study was needed. ODOT then decided to pursue a comprehensive corridor study along US 224, using the same limits from SR 11 to I-680. The project is funded jointly by ODOT and Eastgate, using Highway Safety funds from ODOT and the Federal gasoline tax from Eastgate. URS Corporation of Akron, Ohio was hired as the study consultant.

A 14-step process has been established, called the Project Development Process (PDP), that must be followed for all projects administered by ODOT. The purpose of the PDP is to enhance communication between government agencies and the public; to ensure that projects are completed within the allotted scope, schedule and budget; to implement the best solutions for identified problems; to produce quality plans; and, to construct a quality project.

The MAH 224 Corridor Study will follow the first five steps of the PDP, resulting in identified conceptual alternatives for improvements to US 224. These steps include a significant amount of public participation, data collection, analysis, identifying “red flag issues”, developing conceptual alternatives and establishing a strategic plan for implementing improvements.