The Ohio Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to modernize critical drainage infrastructure across Stark County, scheduling a series of culvert maintenance and replacement projects set to take place during the summer of 2027. State transportation officials have formally opened a public comment period, encouraging local drivers, property owners, and community stakeholders to review the proposed roadway modifications and offer input on potential travel impacts.
State highway authorities have budgeted an estimated $754,200 for the infrastructure initiative. The capital undertaking is designed to bolster regional stormwater drainage systems, reinforce structural road stability, and enhance overall motorist safety throughout Stark County's heavily traveled rural and suburban corridors.
As part of the project development process, transportation planners are prioritizing public engagement. The agency is soliciting observations, concerns, and suggestions from residents and commuters regarding how the temporary road closures and detours might influence daily travel patterns, neighborhood logistics, and local business accessibility before construction operations officially commence.
The scheduled infrastructure improvements will focus on several designated locations within Marlboro, Nimishillen, and Perry Townships. The planned work encompasses a combination of full roadway closures, lane restrictions, and structured detours to allow construction crews to safely excavate and replace aging drainage structures beneath the pavement.
A major component of the maintenance initiative targets State Route 619, also known locally as Edison Street, in Marlboro Township just east of State Route 44. To facilitate the replacement of underlying drainage pipes, engineers have scheduled two separate 14-day road closures along this corridor.
The first planned disruption along State Route 619 will close the roadway between Osborne Avenue and Marlboro Avenue NE. A second 14-day closure will take place further down the route, restricting access between Reeder Avenue and Lair Road. To accommodate through traffic during these construction intervals, ODOT has formulated an extensive detour route utilizing State Route 44, State Street (State Route 173), State Route 225, and State Route 183.
A second major work zone will impact State Street (State Route 173) along the border separating Marlboro and Nimishillen Townships, situated east of State Route 44. The replacement of drainage structures at this location will necessitate a full 14-day closure of the road between State Route 44 and Paris Avenue.
During the two-week shutdown on State Route 173, regional through traffic will be temporarily redirected along a marked detour utilizing State Route 44 and Route 62. Highway officials anticipate that these established alternative routes will adequately distribute vehicle volume, allowing surrounding traffic networks to handle displaced cars and commercial trucks efficiently.
Further southwest, maintenance activities will also be conducted in Perry Township at the intersection of State Route 627 (Richville Drive) and Navarre Road SW. Specifically, work will be centered within the northeast quadrant of the junction. Unlike the extended full closures in Marlboro and Nimishillen, this phase will implement seven days of lane restrictions along State Route 627 while completely closing Township Road 2148.
Throughout the week of active work in Perry Township, through traffic along State Route 627 will be preserved, and local access will remain fully operational. State engineers have emphasized that accommodating daily neighborhood movement and maintaining commercial entry points are key priorities across all designated work zones.
State highway officials have emphasized that continuous access will be maintained for all adjacent properties, private driveways, and connecting side streets throughout the entire duration of the multi-site initiative. ODOT's operational planning indicates that substantial long-term traffic disruptions are not anticipated, provided that motorists adhere to designated signage and detour routes.
In evaluating the ecological scope of the upgrades, ODOT officials confirmed that the proposed construction activities will not result in substantial negative impacts to local environmental resources. However, public comments regarding any site-specific environmental sensitivities, residential effects, or community concerns remain a vital part of the review process.
All public feedback regarding the Stark County maintenance schedule must be submitted by September 23. Comments can be directed to Brian Peck, an environmental specialist at ODOT District 4, located at 2088 South Arlington Road in Akron, Ohio, 44306. Community members may submit their statements via telephone at 330-786-4931, by email at Brian.Peck@dot.ohio.gov, or online through the department's dedicated project web page.
With final engineering plans moving toward execution ahead of the summer 2027 timeline, state transportation leaders view the Stark County culvert maintenance program as a necessary investment to protect the longevity of the region's thoroughfares and ensure reliable roadway drainage for years to come.
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