Akron Beltway – It’s Complete…Almost

AKRON, Ohio. After four years of construction, the orange barrels and lane shifts that have dominated Akron’s highways are finally gone. The $160 million Akron Beltway project, the largest in Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 history, is officially complete, according to the district website.

According to ODOT District 4, since construction began in the summer of 2021, the project has transformed some of the region’s busiest roads with new pavement, additional lanes, and realigned ramps designed to make travel through the city safer and more efficient.

“Crews are in the final stages, and the end is in sight,” said Justin Chensic, public information officer for ODOT, in a press statement on August 13th. The ramp was declared complete on August 13th, 2025.

The Beltway was funded by a combination of ODOT programs, including ODOT safety, ODOT preservation, and ODOT major rehabilitation. Alongside the Ohio Transportation Review Advisory Council.

ODOT rebuilt stretches of I-77 from just north of I-277 and U.S. 224 to Lovers Lane, replaced pavement on I-76 and I-77 from Princeton Avenue to the I-77 and SR 261 interchange, and reworked the Central Interchange where I-76, I-77, and SR 8 meet. A new southbound lane was also added on SR 8 between Carroll and Beacon streets to improve traffic flow.

To enhance safety, engineers realigned two key left-hand turn ramps, I-76 westbound to I-77 southbound and I-76 eastbound to SR 8 northbound, replacing them with smoother, elevated flyover ramps.

“The main safety aspects of this project were the two new flyover ramps and the added lane on SR 8 south to reduce congestion,” Chensic said. “Challenges included battling material delays and shortages, and then maintaining traffic. Thankfully, we had a great contractor and were able to substantially complete ahead of schedule.”

Keeping traffic moving throughout construction was one of the project’s greatest challenges. ODOT maintained at least two lanes in each direction on I-76, I-77, and SR 8 for most of the project, though a 90-day stretch reduced I-76 traffic to a single lane each way. The lane reduction tested the patience of daily commuters but helped crews complete major portions of the work faster.

Now that the Akron Beltway is complete, drivers can look forward to a smoother, safer commute through the heart of the city. The project represents not just a major investment in local infrastructure but also a milestone for the Akron community after years of construction and delays.

“We know the people who work, live, and travel through this area had to deal with a lot of inconvenience, delay, and frustration,” Noirot said in an interview with Spectrum News 1. “We appreciate their patience as we made these significant improvements. The result will be a huge benefit to those traveling to and through the Akron area.”

While the Beltway is complete, ODOT says that some minor tasks, such as bridge painting and finishing touches, are expected to continue into November.