Lorain/Elyria, OH
Near Route 57, it’s full stop ahead
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Pray for dry, mild weather for the next few weeks.That’s what’s needed to turn the $20 million state Route 57 reconstruction project into a not-so-nightmarish travel scenario.
Heavy traffic, impossible intersections to cross and orange barrels are commonplace right now, but — should Mother Nature cooperate — all could lessen in a couple of weeks.
Not that that mattered Friday, when bumper-to-bumper traffic near the route’s intersections with Gulf and Abbe roads.
However, that’s what you get when you try to beat Ohio’s harsh and sometimes early winters, City Engineer Mukund Moghe said.
What the Shelly Co. was doing Friday was something called grinding — removing the top layer of old asphalt so fresh asphalt can be laid down in its place, Moghe said.
The crew is sticking to its plan of laying all the asphalt and opening up all four lanes of 57 before Thanksgiving.
However, in order to do this they are aggressively attacking the project, Moghe said.
Asphalt can only be put down in dry weather with temperatures above 40 degrees, he added.
“It’s going to be hard for the next few weeks, but the project is going good,” Moghe said.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
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At the two intersections mentioned, cars must come to a rolling stop to pass through the intersection on Gulf or Abbe. If you are on 57, there is no reason to slow down. This is causing a large delay in allowing cars to pass through on green from the side streets. Had this been corrected prior, the traffic congestion would not have been as much of an issue.
I have noticed it at all intersections affected by this construction, but these two appear to be the worst.
If the intersections are completed, the congestion will lessen. When 4 lanes are opened prior to Thanksgiving, I will be very grateful.
Of course, the Elyria Naysayers will be on here about the city, the Mayor, the engineer, the levy, etc., however, I think this first phase has gone much faster than I ever expected.
Thank you for making this happen.
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I have traveled the road in off hours and still have back ups.
I have noticed that the road pulls my car to the right. I thought if was me untill I start asking. I was told by someone who does paving that it is because of were the seam is.
I really hope this is NOT were the money has gone!
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It pulls to the right because you are actually driving on what will be the berm of the road and so it is sloped off to the right
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YEA!
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Oh wow, everyone is now an expert on large scale highway construction/reconstruction projects.
A friend said its where they put the seam, WTF does he or she know??? Did they review the plans with the city and construction company?
People are so goshdamned ignorant. Just let them do the work, slow down, be patient and it will be a GREAT road once it is completed.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. MOVE TO ARIZONA THEN!
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Civility?
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So, someone who owns a paving company and has done work (Medina) does not know what they are doing????
I made a statement not a cut down, I think that they need to do the job right the first time and take the time they need and make sure. Never said diffrent.
Some people get so bent out of shape when things are questioned.
If everyone who did not agree moved to Arizona, then Elyria would be just about empty (er)
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You know, why is it that people complain about everything? The project isnt finished yet & people are complaining. We complained before 57 was started, we complain while it is in progress and I’m sure someone will complain when it’s completed. The fact of the matter is the project was originally slated to be completed in 2009. Now they are talking about by Thanksgiving. These construction workers and road crews are doing a heck of a job. Why don’t we take a moment and thank The Shelly Company for their hard work. This company is doing their best at the fastest & some people can’t don’t have enough respect tobe thankful for what is forth coming. If you don’t like how 57 is stay off of it.
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In my opinion they are doing a fabulous job..everything looks great..the finished product is very smooth..Elyrians should be proud to have such a nice road! Progress isnt achieved overnight people….Things like this take time and the company is way ahead of schedule! I just hope that once completed it doesnt turn into a race track ! Everyone is in such a hurry and has no regard for others…so.on todays highways its every man or woman for himself! Get out the coffee….Pick up the cell phone..and Drive like Hell.! and oh yea…cut off your fellow driver whenever You can….GOD Bless America!
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Hey Sarcasm. It is the seam from where they laid two different ‘lanes’ of material. From my understanding, it will be completed in 2009, but this was the temporary measure to alleviate some of the issues for winter 2008.
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I was one of the biggest complainers about the condition of Rt 57 before the construction. Knowing it was going to be a mess when they got going on it, I think they have done a great job keeping the traffic flowing considering the amount that travels that road every day.
It’s also nice having a smooth road to drive on.
For all the fly by night road engineers on this thread I have a question. Why did they only dig out parts of the road and fill them in with concrete instead of doing like they did in Westlake where they took out the entire road then laid concrete before blacktopping?
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maerd,
I don’t quite understand your question, which I would gladly have attempted to armchair engineer and answer!
But how does this sound?
The delta ratio of the cured concrete overlay doesn’t have the same strength coefficient of a purely asphaltic underlayment bonded with crushed limestone base material.
Life requires a sense of humor…
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Sounds like sarcasm.
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