ODOT plans to repave East State Street, Union Avenue in 2024 in Alliance

The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning to resurface this one-mile stretch of U.S. Route 62 (East State Street) in Alliance from corporation limits to the State Route 183 (Union Avenue) intersection in 2024.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning to resurface this one-mile stretch of U.S. Route 62 (East State Street) in Alliance from corporation limits to the State Route 183 (Union Avenue) intersection in 2024.

ALLIANCE ‒ The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning a $2.1 million resurfacing project in 2024 on two of the busiest streets in Alliance.

"Yes, thank God," City Councilman Jim Edwards said jubilantly at Monday's City Council meeting after the board passed the legislation.

According to Justin Chesnic, public information officer for ODOT District 4, the project calls for repairs and new pavement on:

  • A one-mile stretch of East State Street (U.S. Route 62) from Union Avenue (State Route 183) east to the city's corporation limits, near the Stark-Columbiana county line. This area includes Aultman Alliance Community Hospital and the College Plaza retail center.

  • Two short stretches of Union Avenue (State Route 183) from Beech Street north to East College Street, and from Main Street north to approximately West Perry Street.

Both roads are ODOT-maintained routes within the city limits.

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Chesnic said the project is expected to go out to bid around March with a tentative start around late May or early June. He said the contractor will grind down a couple of inches of the existing pavement, make any repairs and put down new asphalt by late August 2024. There likely will be lane restrictions, he said.

"Pretty straightforward," Chesnic said.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has plans, in 2024, to resurface this busy, one-mile stretch of East State Street (also U.S. Route 62) in Alliance for the first time in 17 years.
The Ohio Department of Transportation has plans, in 2024, to resurface this busy, one-mile stretch of East State Street (also U.S. Route 62) in Alliance for the first time in 17 years.

East State Street, a major route for trucks, was last paved in 2007. It has suffered a lot of wear and tear, bumps and thumps in 16 years. Chesnic said it is not uncommon for ODOT to go 10 to 15 years between resurfacing projects on roads.

"Once it's done, motorists will have a smooth ride on 62 and 183," he said.

For people who work or travel through there, the ODOT project was welcomed with open arms − and signs of relief.

"It's been rough on the vehicles. It's eaten up suspensions," said Shawn Dugan, a Smith Township resident who was stopped at the Gulf gas station on East State Street on Wednesday.

Becky Ball, who works at Gulf, said they often have customers come into the store and complain about the road conditions.

Both said the project would be a huge help.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: East State Street, Union Avenue in Alliance to get repaved in 2024