JACKSON TWP. − The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning a new roundabout at the state Route 241 and Shuffel Street NW intersection to improve driver safety.
It’s one of eight projects the agency has planned this year around Stark County.
The state is investing nearly $36 million on roadway improvements, signal upgrades, lane additions and other projects this year in the county.
It’s a lighter construction year for Stark County, mostly focused on roadway resurfacing.
“We’re really taking care of what we have,” ODOT District 4 spokesperson Ray Marsch said.
The largest resurfacing project in the county will be on portions of U.S. Route 30 and state Route 172 in Canton and surrounding areas. The department is spending $12.8 million on the project, which also includes bridge repairs. Ramp closures are expected during the project.
Altogether, ODOT is spending about $3.4 billion on nearly 1,000 projects across the state this year.
New roundabout in Jackson aims to reduce severe crashes
The Route 241, also known as Wales Avenue NW, and Shuffel Street NW intersection has a history of accidents.
According to an ODOT safety study, there were 63 total crashes at the intersection between 2017 and 2024. The majority of crashes, 51%, were rear-end accidents.
A roundabout is expected to reduce accidents, especially severe ones, Marsch said.
“Roundabouts are proven to improve safety,” he said. “The reason behind this is because folks reduce their speed as they approach the roundabout and then they only have to pay attention to one direction when entering a roundabout.”
Construction of the $9.7 million project is expected to begin in September and will be complete around October 2027. The project also includes replacement of the Route 241 bridge south of Shuffel and resurfacing portions of Route 241.
Each day, an average of 9,700 vehicles travel the intersection on Route 241, and 8,600 travel on Shuffel, Marsch said.
Jackson Township Trustee Justin Hardesty said he expects the roundabout will improve safety.
“Evidence shows (roundabouts) make things considerably safer versus the traditional kind of intersection where you could T-bone another vehicle quite easily and have a much more severe accident,” he said.
During construction, a portion of Route 241 south of Shuffel will be closed for one year starting this fall. The entire intersection is also expected to be closed for 60 days during project work. ODOT will post detours.
Hardesty advised residents to be patient during construction and road closures.
“It’s inconvenient, but it should be good for the long term,” he said.
Here’s a look at the other major projects:
U.S. Route 30 and state Route 172 resurfacing (Canton, Canton Township, East Canton, Minerva)
Project: Resurfacing Route 30 from the western Canton corporation limit to just west of state Route 43/Waynesburg Drive, from Trump Avenue to the eastern East Canton corporation limit and from east of Grant Boulevard to the Carrollton County line. Project also includes bridge repairs in the city of Canton and pedestrian safety improvements in East Canton and Minerva.
U.S. Route 62 resurfacing (Alliance)
Project: Resurfacing U.S. Route 62 from Freshley Avenue NE to Federal Avenue and from McKinley Avenue to state Route 183 in Alliance.
State Route 21 resurfacing (Massillon)
Project: Resurfacing state Route 21 from the northern Massillon corporation limit to just south of Route 30 in Massillon. Project includes bridges repairs to eight structures.
State Routes 93, 172, 236 and 241 resurfacing (Massillon, Canal Fulton, Lawrence Township)
Project: Resurfacing state Route 93 from just north of Strausser Street NW to the Summit County line, state Route 172 between Route 21 and Route 241, state Route 236 from Portage Street NW to the Summit County line, and Route 241 from the southwestern Massillon corporation limit to Tremont Avenue SE. Project also includes minor bridge repairs. All work to occur in Canal Fulton, Massillon and Lawrence Township.
Fulton Drive NW turn lane addition (Jackson Township)
Project: Signal, turn lane and storm sewer improvements on state Route 687 (Fulton Drive NW) from Frank Avenue NW to Everhard Road NW in Jackson Township. Project includes the addition of an eastbound and westbound right turn lane on state Route 687 and a southbound right turn lane on Frank Avenue NW.
State Route 241 sidewalk installation (Jackson Township)
Project: Construct a new sidewalk on Route 241 (Wales Avenue) between Mudbrook Street NW and Ponteberry Street NW and on Mudbrook Street NW from Route 241 to Drexel Street NW in Jackson Township.
U.S. Route 62 signal upgrades (Canton, Plain Township)
Project: Signal upgrade on the Route 62 westbound off ramp at 30th Street NE/Martindale Road NE in Canton and Plain Township.
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jackson Twp. roundabout among 8 ODOT projects planned for Stark in 2026
Reporting by Grace Springer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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