Construction crews are moving forward with plans to close the westbound lanes of I-277 as part of $13.2 million resurfacing project.

The four-week long closure will begin Monday on I-277 West between I-77 and I-76 (the Kenmore Leg), according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

To get around, drivers can take I-77 North to I-76 West/I-77 North to I-76 West (Kenmore Leg).

The following ramps will also close during the closure:

• I-77 north to I-277/US 224 westbound. The detour is I-77 north to I-76 west/I-77 north to I-76 west (Kenmore Leg).
• I-77 south to I-277/US 224 westbound. The detour is I-76 west/I-77 north to I-76 west (Kenmore Leg).
• The entrance ramp from S. Main St. to I-277/US 224 westbound. A detour will be posted.
• The entrance ramp from SR 93/Manchester Rd. to I-277/US 224 westbound. A detour will be posted.
• ALSO, US 224 westbound from Kelly Ave. to the I-77 interchange will be reduced to one lane for bridge repairs.

The construction is part of a $13.2 million project to resurface I-76, Interstate 277 and US 224.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in late October 2013.

Click here to view a full list of construction projects in Summit County.

Akron-based FirstMerit has reportedly listed seven banks that it will close in the area, and another will become a drive-up other location.

The Beacon Journal says FirstMerit will close Stow's Oregon Corners branch on Graham Road will close on August 11th.

The newspaper reports that three Medina County FirstMerit branches will close on August 18th - on Pearl Road in Medina, Center Road in Brunswick and on Sharon-Copley Road in Sharon Center.

The FirstMerit branches on Bailey Road in Cuyahoga Falls and on West Tuscarawas Avenue in Barberton have an August 25th closing date...the same day a FirstMerit branch on North Main Street in Akron begins offering only drive-up and ATM services.

Also slated to close in August are branches in Amherst and Wickliffe.

The Beacon Journal says no employees were let go as a result of the closures, and workers will be reassigned or offered other jobs within FirstMerit.

FirstMerit confirmed last week that it is eliminating the position of assistant branch manager. The Akron bank has 205 branches in its system, but not all have an employee in that position.

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On the Web: Akron Beacon Journal, www.ohio.com

Staring in the face of over $44 million in needed budget cuts - a number that could get worse - Akron schools superintendent David James proposed closing three of the district's elementary schools.

Students at Barrett, Essex and Rankin schools would be absorbed by nearby elementary school districts. Board president Jason Haas says the move would save the district about $910,000 a year to operate the three schools, not counting whatever reductions there would be in the teaching staff.

The closure proposal was prompted by low attendance numbers by those within the schools' attendance area.

The proposal at Monday night's school board meeting by Superintendent James is just that, a proposal and recommendation by James.

James and other school officials plan to meet with those affected by the planned closures over the next two weeks, and the Akron school board could vote as soon as the next meeting - February 27th - on James' recommendation.

With a projected $44 million deficit in the next two school fiscal years, these closures will likely not be the last, and a significant number of other cuts are also ahead.