Undertaking
a major highway improvement follows ODOT’s Major Project
Development Process (PDP). The Major PDP, shown on this graphic,
has four phases, each with several steps. The initial phase
for the Akron Central Interchange Project was the I-76/80 Corridor
Study that identified problems on 11 miles of I-76 in Summit
County and evaluated general concepts to address those problems.
The recommendation was to improve the existing roadway. Click
on the dark blue I-76/80 Corridor Study section of the loop
to
read that study and its conclusions.
In 2005, the second Major PDP phase, Preliminary Engineering
and Environmental Compliance (P.E./E.C) began on 2.2 miles
of the 11-mile segment. This is the Akron
Central Interchange Project, from just west of Manchester Road, east, though
the Central Interchange. The P.E./E.C. Phase covers Steps 5, 6 and 7 of
the Major PDP. Step 5, the Conceptual Alternatives Study
identified the general location
and number of interchanges on I-76 in the projected area. Click on the
blue segment of the P.E./E.C. section of the loop to review
that study and its conclusions.
Major PDP Step 6, the Feasible Alternatives Analysis, is currently underway.
Click on the red segment of the loop to read about the Feasible Alternatives
Analysis. Major PDP Step 7, Develop Preferred Alterative is the last step in
the P.E./E.C. phase. The project then moves into the Final Design phase which
also includes right-of-way acquisition. When the construction plans are complete
and all right-of-way purchased, the project moves into Construction. To read
about Develop Preferred Alternative, Project Final Design and Project Construction,
click on the appropriated green segment of the loop. Clicking on the brown boxes
for each Major PDP step will provide information on the work conducted during
that step.
