Car-mageddon is coming to Akron.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will unleash a slew of major highway ramp and lane closures next week that will inconvenience tens of thousands of motorists, in some cases, for months.
In other words, get ready to follow detours.
“We’re going to hit the ground running,” ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said about the upcoming work.
The state agency waited until after the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to begin the biggest portion of its summer construction season.
Most of the work will occur along Interstate 76 in Akron, although there are efforts planned on I-76 in Barberton and Norton, and along state Route 8 in Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson and Stow.
The biggest impact will be felt around Akron’s central interchange, where I-76, Interstate 77 and state Route 8 converge.
ODOT is removing three bridges on I-76/77 just west of the central interchange — actually, it’s building up the dirt beneath the bridges — meaning ramps and lanes will be closed for more than three months.
Here’s the rundown:
• I-76 between Grant Street and Inman Street will be reduced to two lanes in each direction through mid-November starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
• The ramp from Interstate 77 northbound to I-76 westbound will be closed through mid-November starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
• The ramp from state Route 8 southbound to I-77/76 westbound will be closed through mid-November starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday.
• The ramp from I-76 eastbound to I-77 southbound will be closed through mid-November starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
As part of a separate project just east of the central interchange, ODOT also will begin shutting down lanes and ramps next week.
I-76 westbound between state Route 18/East Market Street and Brittain Road will be reduced to two lanes through late August starting at 7 p.m. Monday.
The ramp from Route 18/East Market Street to I-76 westbound will be closed, as well.
Then beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, I-76 westbound between Brittain and Arlington Road will be reduced to two lanes through Aug. 9.
That work also will be accompanied by many ramp closures during the same time period:
• I-76 westbound to Arlington.
• State Route 241/Innovation Way to I-76 westbound.
• I-76 westbound to Route 241/Innovation Way.
• General Street to I-76 westbound.
• Brittain to I-76.
I-76 eastbound between Route 241/Innovation Way also will be reduced to two lanes through late August starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The ramp from Route 241/Innovation Way to I-76 eastbound also will be closed during that time.
ODOT workers took to the streets this week to hand out brochures and inform businesses along East Market Street about the lengthy list of projects.
Some of the employees at those companies questioned how they were going to get to and from work — and how it will affect their business.
“I’m all for fixing everything but I don’t want to see this area bypassed,” said Kevin O’Brien, owner of Spanky’s Carpet Outlet on East Market. “I don’t want to see this area drying up.”
In addition to the I-76 work in Akron, ODOT will begin an $80.4 million project to rebuild the pavement on I-76 in Barberton and Norton.
The work includes widening the highway between state Route 21 and Central Avenue.
Barber Road under I-76 will be closed Aug. 8-11.
The state agency also will begin making $930,000 worth of pavement repairs Monday on Route 8 between Graham Road and state Route 303 in Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson and Stow.
Motorists should expect lane closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The projects are part of more than $500 million worth of ODOT road and bridge construction planned in Summit County over the next five years.
For details and a list of other highway projects, go to: www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D04.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.