Construction begins on new Lorain County roundabout

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Construction is starting on the county’s new roundabout in Brighton Township.

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials said the intersection of SR 18 and SR 511 will close on Thursday, June 4.

“It’s definitely going to make it safer, that’s probably the best part,” said Elizabeth Hook, owner of Hook’s Greenhouse near the intersection.

Once construction is completed, the current two-way stop-controlled intersection will be a single-lane roundabout.

“The roundabout would actually be about a 44% reduction in total crashes and an 82% reduction in total crashes,” ODOT spokesperson Crystal Neelon said.

Detours during the construction:

• Traffic on SR 18 will be detoured to SR 58 north in the village of Wellington to U.S. 20 west to SR 60 (S River St) south in the village of Wakeman to SR 18 and reverse.
• Traffic on SR 511 will be detoured to SR 162 east to SR 58 north to U.S. 20 west to SR 511 and reverse.

The project is expected to be completed on Aug. 14.

ODOT said its intention is to have the intersection open before the Lorain County Fair.