UPDATE Overturned Semi Closes Ramp on I-271
Richfield police say the driver of a semi-truck that overturned on Interstate 271 was flown to a local hospital early Friday morning.
The Ohio Department of Transportation reported the closure of the ramp from I-271 north to I-77 N around 4 a.m. Crews also closed the ramp from I-77 north to I-271 north.
The condition of the driver is not known at this time.
The semi-truck lost its load of hot dogs when it overturned on the roadway.
One lane of traffic reopened after 9 a.m., according to Richfield police.
AUDIO Drivers Pay Attention, School Is Back In Session
As many students head back to school this week, law enforcement agencies are asking drivers to use extra caution.
Lt. William Weirtz with the Canton Post of the State Highway Patrol says he often hears complaints from bus drivers about drivers passing stopped school buses during school hours.
"That's not because they weren't aware of (the school bus). They are either in a hurry or they just, for some reason, decided to pass the bus," Weirtz said.
Weirtz says teen and adult drivers talking on the phone or texting is a major problem during the school year.
"That cell phone or text provides a hug distraction and we see a lot of that, unfortunately in the crashes we handle."
OSHP: Drivers Pay Attention, School Is Back In Session by Amani Abraham
He advises drivers to stay focused behind the wheel and resist the urge to text and drive.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol advises motorists to plan ahead and add a few minutes to their morning commute to make time for school bus stops.
Drivers should also watch out for children walking to and from the bus stop, especially when they are backing out of a driveway.
From 2009 through 2011, more than 4,300 Ohio motorists were cited for failing to stop for a school bus loading or unloading children.
President Obama's Visit To Impact Afternoon Traffic
Remember a few weeks ago when morning rush hour traffic was at a standstill as President Obama left from an overnight stay in Fairlawn and ate breakfast at a west Akron restaurant?
Get ready for the same traffic nightmare, only this time on the way home from work this afternoon.
The President will make a campaign speech at the Knight Center in downtown Akron, scheduled for 4pm, right in the middle of the rush hour commute home.
It all starts at Akron-Canton Airport between 3 p.m. and 3:30pm, on I-77 northbound. The Summit County Sheriff's Department will be involved with blocking off traffic and providing security on bridges and overpasses at the President's motorcade rolls toward Akron.
The President will be arriving from an earlier campaign event in Mansfield.
Sheriff Drew Alexander is a veteran of these visits and he says it's not a pleasant experience stopping traffic on a major interstate.
"It's a big problem and obviously it's inconvenient, but its something that has to be done, and we understand that. We take our lead from the Secret Service on that. They basically tell us what the route is going to be," says Alexander.
Alexander says they'll utilize what's called a rolling roadblock to escort Obama's motorcade from and to the airport. " We'll keep our cars jumping ahead one at a time, so that we always have several roadways blocked, but as the presidential entourage goes through then we open that back up. We just don't let traffic catch up to the caravan."
Alexander says for just one afternoon, roughly between 3 and 7, motorists who normally take I-77 north and southbound should map another route to get home.
"Take an alternate route. We're not sure the hour or the amount of time we're going to have to shut these down, or what time we're going to shut them down. I would suggest that if you don't have to come into the city, don't. And if you can stay off I-77 I'd certainly advise that," says Alexander.
Alexander tells AkronNewsNow.com there are alternate north-south routes you can choose. "There's a lot of north-south, Arlington, Massillon Road, Canton Road, a lot of ways to get in and out, and avoid 77."
Above all, Alexander says to exercise patience and plan for your afternoon commute to be longer than usual.
President Obama's visit is also altering other plans in downtown Akron. Several streets around the Knight Center will be closed off.
The Akron Summit County Public Library has postponed at least one event this afternoon because of the Obama rall .
METRO RTA also advising other routes and service may be impacted adversely because of the afternoon rush hour arrival, appearance and departure. Metro officials say the exact times, specific street closures and planned detours during the visit and for the president’s motorcade won't be made public for security reasons. If you are a Metro rider and need more information on how the President's visit will alter bus routes, you can call the customer services line at 330-762-0341.
UPDATED Crash Closes 77 South Exit Ramp
UPDATE 1:09 p.m. ODOT has re-opened the 76 west ramp to I-77 south.
Previous:
An overturned truck in Akron on I-76 west forced authorities to close an exit ramp during morning rush hour Wednesday.
Police say a truck was found on its side blocking the I-77 south exit ramp shortly before 6 a.m.
Akron police say the ramp will be closed for several hours.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area. A suggested detour is I-76 west to Interstate 277/US 224.
Visit AkronNewsNow.com for more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE Crash Closes Manchester Road
A serious, fatal crash forced law enforcement to close Manchester Road, just south of the I-277 interchange, into Friday evening.
Manchester Road was closed in BOTH directions at O'Neil Lube, at 2900 Manchester Road, as crews worked to clear the accident. The closure lasted past 8 PM Friday evening.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office tells AkronNewsNow.com that the crash was a two vehicle crash that killed one 29 year-old woman.
The other woman involved in the crash was sent to Akron City Hospital, where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Water Main Break Halves West Market
Might be a slower commute on your way home tonight if you are using West Market.
A big water main break closing one lane in each direction in the 2400 block. Traffic is still moving through the area, but using the two westbound lanes.
The City hopes to have repairs made and the highway fully re-opened by seven o'clock this evening.
News release - City of Akron
Water Distribution crews are repairing a break in the 8” water main, located in front of 2424 W. Market St. The break was discovered at approximately 12:00 noon today. During this repair work, traffic is being restricted to one lane in both directions, via the 2 west bound lanes. Repairs should be completed and traffic returned to normal conditions by about 7pm this evening. A handful of residential customers will be without water service until repairs are completed.
Traffic & Construction Update