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Improved stretch starting at Vernon Odom Boulevard will go up to 65 mph
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:50 p.m. EST, Nov 09, 2009
Zoom. Zoom.
Motorists on Interstate 77 soon won't have to worry as much about their speed.
Akron City Council today approved legislation urging the Ohio Department of Transportation to increase the speed on Interstate 77 between Vernon Odom Boulevard and Cleveland-Massillon Road from 55 mph to 65 mph.
''It's a safe speed from what's being traveled,'' said Dave Gasper, Akron's traffic engineer.
The change will come as a welcome relief, especially to the many people who have gotten tickets for going too fast through the recently improved stretch of three lanes of traffic in each direction.
ODOT did a traffic study that determined the higher speed limit would be appropriate. Akron's traffic engineers concurred, Gasper said.
Councilman Mike Williams asked that his name be added to this legislation, which he said is badly needed. When council members were asked if this should be passed as an emergency measure — meaning it won't require three readings — Williams said, ''Oh, yeah,'' earning laughter from those in chambers.
Fairlawn and the State Highway Patrol have agreed to the change, according to a letter to Akron from Eric Czetli, ODOT's District 4 deputy director.
All that remains is for ODOT to put up the new speed limit signs.
''Then, the new speed will be in effect,'' Gasper said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Zoom. Zoom.
Motorists on Interstate 77 soon won't have to worry as much about their speed.
Akron City Council today approved legislation urging the Ohio Department of Transportation to increase the speed on Interstate 77 between Vernon Odom Boulevard and Cleveland-Massillon Road from 55 mph to 65 mph.
''It's a safe speed from what's being traveled,'' said Dave Gasper, Akron's traffic engineer.
The change will come as a welcome relief, especially to the many people who have gotten tickets for going too fast through the recently improved stretch of three lanes of traffic in each direction.
ODOT did a traffic study that determined the higher speed limit would be appropriate. Akron's traffic engineers concurred, Gasper said.
Councilman Mike Williams asked that his name be added to this legislation, which he said is badly needed. When council members were asked if this should be passed as an emergency measure — meaning it won't require three readings — Williams said, ''Oh, yeah,'' earning laughter from those in chambers.
Fairlawn and the State Highway Patrol have agreed to the change, according to a letter to Akron from Eric Czetli, ODOT's District 4 deputy director.
All that remains is for ODOT to put up the new speed limit signs.
''Then, the new speed will be in effect,'' Gasper said.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Barberton, oh
Posted 11:20 PM, 11/09/2009
Well I'm glad to see it was a fruitful evening in chambers.
Posted 11:47 PM, 11/09/2009
I suppose the city council has some common sense after all!
Akron, OH
Posted 12:10 AM, 11/10/2009
Will I be permitted to drive 55mph?
uniontown, oh
Posted 12:31 AM, 11/10/2009
@ r m kraus ~ Will I be permitted to drive 55mph?
YES! So long as you are on the right side curb and NOT in any of the rest of our ways.
And for the rest of you...hang up and drive will ya! You can't possibly have THAT much to talk about. Wonder what you done when all we had were pay phones?
Munroe Falls, Oh
Posted 12:54 AM, 11/10/2009
So Mike, when are you going to make the announcement?
Posted 07:14 AM, 11/10/2009
When it was 55, idiots drove 65 ... now that it's 65, they'll drive 75! Akron needs to police the entire freeway better!
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:37 AM, 11/10/2009
I thought we were going to 70 or 75mph, what ever happened to that plan?
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 07:45 AM, 11/10/2009
The state is still going to have to change the maximum speed limit before ODOT could make it above 65.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:21 AM, 11/10/2009
Note to self,
Stay off of the expressway now.
akron, oh
Posted 08:23 AM, 11/10/2009
Dear Council,
Please improve the entrance ramp at Rt. 76W & Wolf Ledges.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:24 AM, 11/10/2009
Flyboy0818: the maximum speed limit in Ohio is 65mph.
RM Kraus: You certainly can do 55mph. Just remember that you need to remain in the right lanes. The police can ticket you for going too slow or impeding the flow of traffic, especially in the fast/passing lane.
For me, I will be doing what I always do, go no more than 5 mph faster than the speed limit. It's still much slower than some other people and the police will never bother me!
RichRodforOH2010.com, .
Posted 08:24 AM, 11/10/2009
Common sense prevails.
RichRodforOH2010.com, .
Posted 08:25 AM, 11/10/2009
Retired,
That's right, get out of the way and you won't have anything to worry about.
Posted 08:45 AM, 11/10/2009
Now let's do the same on Rt 8.
Posted 08:51 AM, 11/10/2009
@ Sammie - I completely agree. I stopped going that way if I can help it. That ramp needs some attention.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:56 AM, 11/10/2009
''It's a safe speed from what's being traveled,'' said Dave Gasper, Akron's traffic engineer.
Do he honestly belive people are driving 55?
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:57 AM, 11/10/2009
Dear Council,
Please improve the entrance ramp at Rt. 76W & Wolf Ledges.
Sammie, I could not agree more. Thats a deathtrap.
Posted 09:15 AM, 11/10/2009
FINALLY! I am horrible at going 55 and you about get killed if you drive under 70 mph. GET OVER TO THE RIGHT IF YOU CAN'T DRIVE the speed limit or a few more.
I will, however, not turn 65 into 80 like so many will, that is way too fast for that stretch of road. 65 is perfect!
akron, oh
Posted 09:21 AM, 11/10/2009
Good. People drove 65 there anyway. At least once this is changed, they'll be be driving the legal speed limit for once in their lives.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:26 AM, 11/10/2009
I think the biggest hazards are those that travel 40mph on a 45. These people should be taught how to drive or have their licenses revoked.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 10:53 AM, 11/10/2009
Fat painter-soon,radio Shack will be selling 'cell phone jammers' that you plug into the cigarette lighter.
Works like a radar detector but better,within a 1/3 mile flat stretch.
CuyahogaFalls, oh
Posted 12:00 PM, 11/10/2009
About time. I drove 60 through there and everybody flew past me. If your five over the limit and not weaving in and out the cops don't normally mess with you.
Posted 12:41 PM, 11/10/2009
Well HURRAY! The improved stretch of road is super-wide with generous shoulders, it's obvious that 65 is appropriate.
Next question, why are the I-271 "express lanes" only 60??
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 12:52 PM, 11/10/2009
Doesn't matter, most folks drive around 80mph anyhow AND while texting on their cell phones.
RichRodforOH2010.com, .
Posted 12:53 PM, 11/10/2009
Set my people free. 70-75 on all highways.
RichRodforOH2010.com, .
Posted 12:54 PM, 11/10/2009
I would even be OK if they installed speed cameras as long as we got 70-75. A nice compromise. They still get the cash and we stop wasting time adhering to antiquated limits.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:09 PM, 11/10/2009
Retired, You said "When it was 55, idiots drove 65 ... now that it's 65, they'll drive 75! Akron needs to police the entire freeway better!"
Have you ever driven outside of Ohio. ODOT is one of the poorly most run departments in this state if not the worst. The speed limits were usually around 70-75. Not too mention that they weren't forced to drive on a two lane highway. They had 4 to 6 lanes with higher speed limits the entire drive south. There were no accidents and no problems with the roads. People in ohio just can't drive. Raise the speed limit and get done with the construction already! Open the highways back up to at least 3 to 4 lanes.
Rittman, Oh
Posted 01:18 PM, 11/10/2009
Now if we could them to take down all those idiotic cable fence dividers that make it impossible to get off the left side of the freeway in an emergency or to avoid a read end collision, and also take cars that slide off the road in the winter, and bounce them back out into traffic.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:34 PM, 11/10/2009
With the increased speed on the west leg of the x-way maybe the highway patrol will go out there instead of poaching in the city. I'm sick of seeing them on Geo. Washington Blvd near the rubber bowl because it's rt. 241. Oh yeh those people will pay the fines.
Posted 01:50 PM, 11/10/2009
You mean to tell me it isn't already 65????
Barberton, Oh
Posted 02:23 PM, 11/10/2009
Robert:
I always drive 65 MPH there every day. I didn't even pay attention that it was 55. But then again, I'm just a woman driver!!
Posted 03:22 PM, 11/10/2009
I love driving in Texas. I remember counting the lanes a few times, some were more than 10 lanes, each way, with long feeder lanes that gently allow cars in and out.
Some of their highways speed limits are 80.
Canton, OH
Posted 04:23 PM, 11/10/2009
Sweet. .Let her rip. . .
Posted 05:55 PM, 11/10/2009
I remember this past summer they had the chips come up from Columbus setting up speed traps in that area hiding behind fake broke down cars. I invested in a radar detector 2 years ago and since then = no tickets. I'm originally from South Carolina where the speed limit is 70. There are less accidents down there compared to Ohio. I now live in Maryland where they have photo radars statewide. They are a pain but they do the trick plus the tickets do not count towards the points on your license. $40 fine and that's it. State makes good $$$$$$ off that. As bad as Northeast Ohio is in state money sounds like a great idea.
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 06:31 PM, 11/10/2009
Vernon Odom to Cleveland Massillon road??? I thought V.Odom entrance was off of Main street? No?
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 07:31 PM, 11/10/2009
Nevermind lol
akron, oh
Posted 07:47 PM, 11/10/2009
I don't know Daddy's girl, "do he?"
Akron, oh
Posted 09:49 PM, 11/10/2009
Council must be making money on the Blitz camera & don't need the speed control there
N. Canton, Oh
Posted 07:24 AM, 11/11/2009
spd3333.....love your avatar!
Posted 09:03 AM, 11/11/2009
People are already driving 65 on that stretch. Set your cruise at 65 and most everyone will pass you anyway.
C-town, Oh
Posted 11:30 AM, 11/11/2009
Just eliminate the speed limit.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 12:30 PM, 11/11/2009
So, I'm assuming they'll be recalculating and issuing refunds on the fines of all those tickets, handed out by motorcycle cops earlier this summer...
Rittman, Oh
Posted 01:11 PM, 11/11/2009
"So, I'm assuming they'll be recalculating and issuing refunds on the fines of all those tickets, handed out by motorcycle cops earlier this summer..."
Those fines were collected in order to pay for the new speed limit signs.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:56 PM, 11/11/2009
What a government, Only 45 years late with reality and common sense, but revenue comes first.
