West River north of Griswold goes one way Monday

ELYRIA — West River Road North between Griswold Road and North Ridge roads will be reduced to a one-way street starting Monday.
City officials say traffic will be restricted to northbound travel only, and those who wish to go south on the road will have to take a detour that will take them onto North Ridge Road to state Route 57, then to the East 49th Street bridge near Midway Mall.
Although sure to be seen as an inconvenience to residents, the road will remain that way for 60 to 90 days.
“The road is so narrow, which is one of the reasons we have to reconstruct it, that we have to close it to some traffic,” said Assistant City Engineer Aaron Klein. “When the contractor goes to widen the road the required four to six feet on each side, there will not be enough width to safely allow for two-lane traffic. The safest thing to do is close part of the road.”
Klein said it was decided for traffic to go north because it would allow police, fire and other emergency responders to get to residents in need. Police and fire both said the northbound route was better for them.
“It is going to be an inconvenience, but to get the road done and done right, we have to do this,” Klein said.
However, it’s not just the restricted traffic that has residents crying foul. Construction will also disrupt mail delivery.
Klein said between 70 and 80 homes on the road will have to use temporary mailboxes near Office Max. A zone has been set up that will allow residents to drive up and pick up their mail.
“I can only imagine how bad it will be with all of us backing up traffic because we want to get our mail,” said Tom Molich, who has been very outspoken about the condition of the road prior to the start of construction. “And, there is no way to keep our mail safe when it is so far from our homes.”
Klein said the contractors set up the temporary mailboxes for the safety of the mail carriers in the construction zone. The contractor sent letters to all of the homeowners who have had their mailboxes moved.
Councilman Mark Craig, I-4th Ward, said he has heard from a few residents who are concerned about the safety of their mail, but residents understand that things will get worse before it gets better.
“I feel bad for those residents who don’t normally leave their house because now, in order to get their mail, they will have to go around the block,” he said. “It’s going to be inconvenient for sure.”
Klein said the city has decided to keep trash pickup normal throughout the duration of the project.
Klein said after the road is reconstructed, the road should not have to close again for road work
“The good thing is that by widening the road if we ever have to go in and work on the road again, it can stay open,” he said.
Contractors are wrapping up the south end of the project between Griswold Road and state Route 57. Orange barrels in the area were removed Friday.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.