Roundabout ready for traffic

SANDUSKY — After three weeks, with two days to spare and one day ahead of schedule, Sandusky officials squared away most details to reopen a busy intersection, which included revealing a roundabout. Late Thursday, crews finished work at Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) where it meets up with Cedar Point Drive near Thirsty Pony. Originally, officials estimated the area would reopen on Friday, a day before Cedar Point kicks off its 2026 season. From April 17 up until Thursday: • Drivers couldn't access Cedar Point Drive near Cleveland Road. • While Cleveland Road remained open, temporary traffic signals controlled two-way commuter movement with eastbound and westbound traffic taking turns navigating one lane. Unlike before, however, traffic signals — be it permanent or temporary — no longer exist in this area, a change to make this better for motorists. Now traffic can constantly flow counterclockwise around a central island. It's designed to safely manage traffic without stoplights or stop signs. Drivers, though, must yield upon entry and move continuously to avoid accidents. "This important corridor carries residents, workers and visitors every day, and these improvements will help people move through the area more safely," city interim public works director Josh Snyder said. "Studies have shown that roundabouts installed in locations like this reduce delays and improve pedestrian crossings, while the signal and turn-lane work will address long-standing congestion concerns along Cleveland Road." Approaching drivers to the roundabout are asked to slow down, yield to traffic already in the circular traffic device as well as follow pavement markings and signage. Some cosmetic upgrades and finishing tasks, however, remain incomplete. "Permanent signs, light poles and pedestrian crossing signals have not yet been installed," according to a city statement. "Digital message signs are in place directing drivers to follow the pavement markings through the intersection." Construction on Cleveland Road, meanwhile, continues beyond the roundabout. "Crews are working on curbing, drainage, sidewalks, resurfacing and new traffic signals at other locations along the corridor," the statement read. "No significant delays for drivers are expected from this ongoing work." People can receive updates by visiting cityofsandusky.com/clevelandroad. The overall scope The Cleveland Road safety improvement project encompasses more than just what's happening at Cedar Point Drive. Officials are pursuing substantial upgrades elsewhere along Cleveland Road on Sandusky's east end. "This project addresses six intersections along Cleveland Road within the Sandusky city limits," the statement read. "The work includes new turn lanes, replacement of aging signal equipment, removal of unwarranted signals, pedestrian safety upgrades and the construction of a single-lane roundabout at Cleveland Road and Cedar Point Drive." Specific elements include: • Replacing traffic signal poles and mast arms at Harbor Parkway and Remington Avenue • Adding new turn lanes at Harbor Parkway, Remington Avenue and Sycamore Lane • Removing traffic signals at Avondale Street, Cowdery Street and Milan Road/Frontage Road C • Constructing a modified one-lane roundabout at Cedar Point Drive with crosswalks and upgraded intersection lighting • Putting in transit bus pull-off areas near Harbour Parkway • Incorporating sidewalk, curbing and improved drainage on the north side of Cleveland Road from Harbour Parkway to East Shoreway Drive, meeting up with the newly installed Sandusky Bay Pathway On a related note, "The city has a separate sidewalk, drainage and curbing project planned for the south side of Cleveland Road from Harbour Parkway to East Shoreway Drive slated for 2027 that is partially funded by" the Ohio Department of Transportation. Making sense of the dollars and cents The estimated cost for this aforementioned work in and around Cleveland Road totals about $3.6 million. It breaks down, as explained in a city statement, with: • $3.2 million coming in federal funds • $388,000 coming in local funds through the city's capital budget; This is down from an earlier estimate of $629,000, translating to a 38% drop. The money comes from a large-scale projects account and not the everyday operating budget, funding dozens of essential public services, like police and fire. The related project The roundabout slated for the intersection at Cedar Point Drive is just one of several planned along U.S. 6 in Erie County between Sandusky and Huron. In a separate but related state-funded project, an estimated $27 million expense calls for various upgrades along U.S. 6, including at the intersections of Cleveland Road at: • East Perkins Avenue by Osborn MetroPark • Camp Road by Barnes Nursery • Rye Beach Road by a Shell gas station • A pair at the Ohio 2 ramp interchanges Construction on the actual connectivity corridor won't begin until later this year with a scheduled completion date set for 2029.