Major Construction Rt 2 - Sandusky Bay - Edison Bridge

Greetings all. You may want to visit the Ohio Dept of Transportation websites. Its been announced that the Edison Bridge over Sandusky Bay will undergo major construction (Rte 2 between Toledo & Sandusky). Thus limiting the the bridge to one lane of traffic most of the time. Those of us who are visting the park from anywhere west of Sandusky may want to utilize the turnpike for any trip this summer. May I suggest just heading south or north on I-75 until you get to the turnpike near Bowling Green. BTW...the bridge construction on I-280 is scheduled for completion in 2006. Here are the links www.buckeyetraffic.org & www.dot.state.oh.us.

Enjoy and good luck planning your trips to CP.

With predicted high gas prices for the summer I was really planning to rely on using Rte 2 to lower costs, weekly trips adds up quickly. Thanks for the construction notice.

dude this suuuucks. :( i <3 going on rt 2 to sandusky. :(

that really does suckalot.

What's worse? 280 or 2??? Can't win an easy route to CP from Michigan anymore :-(

From Buckeye traffic.."Beginning on Monday, March 14, the S.R. 2 Edison Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the replacement and widening of the existing bridge deck. Motorists may encounter delays in workzone areas. These around-the-clock lane closures will be in place through May 14, at which time the lane closures will occur at night only. The project’s completion date is June 30, 2007, weather permitting."

There is a bit of hope though....
*** Edited 3/23/2005 3:40:25 AM UTC by raptorqueen***

When I travel to the Point I come from Windsor via the Ambassador Bridge. My first trip was in August 2003 and on our way there we went through a huge construction zone, it looked like they were building a new freeway or something. There was construction everywhere, they had supports up for a new freeway going over the existing one. I went to CP again in May of 2004 and passed through the same construction and it didn't look like a whole lot had been done. In October I went again and on our way there a freeway was completely shut down, causing us to detour through Toledo and our trip was delayed (I'm not sure if it was the same construction that I saw in May though) I definetly don't know my American freeways so I was just wondering if by chance we are talking about the same construction.

That would be the Maumee River Crossing. They are building a huge cable-stayed bridge to replace the draw bridge that the interstate now uses to cross the Maumee River. A tragic accident occurred on February 16, 2004, when a large crane collapsed and killed four workers. Major construction was halted for a few weeks, so that is probably why it looked like not much had been done when you went by in May. The project is slated to be completed sometime late in 2006. It should look very impressive once it is finished.

edit: spelling & format

*** Edited 3/23/2005 5:00:28 AM UTC by Junior***

AboutI-280 Maumee River Crossing:

"Crossing project will cause a seven-month closure of I-280 between I-75 and SR795 beginning in late May and continuing until January 2006."

I think thats gonna suck more than the RT2 construsction.

Anyone know if that awful detour is finally gone on Rt 250 near Norwalk? *** Edited 3/23/2005 6:05:08 AM UTC by Geewhzz***

What about the exit off of 75 onto 280 (The one that leads to the turnpike).
Last time I went it was closed and I had to take the detour which took 45min to go around.

Oh well if that bridge is down to one lane each way, it REALLY shouldn't be that bad. . .especially if it's only at night.

TTD, that is the section of 280 that will be closed for 7 months. That means taking 75 to the turnpike instead of 280. That should not take you 45 minutes to go around, though. It does take you further south and a bit west to enter the turnpike.

Frankly, having 280 closed there is a bigger hassle for me than the Edison Bridge going down to one lane. And, of course, there are going to be lane closures on 75 from the Michigan border south to 280 for Barrier Wall Painting.

It does appear that the eastbound lanes on the Edison Bridge will all be open in the mornings and the westbound lanes will all be open in the evenings (peak traffic times).

All in all, it's going to add a good 30 minutes or more to my 2 hour drive to CP this season.

Those who are coming from south of Bowling Green who usually take I-75 north towards toledo and get on the turnpike or RT 2 might want to take route six getting off of I-75 at Bowling Green and taking 6 the rest of the way there. I live in BG and take Rt 6 all the time. It is the fastest way from here.

The 280 project isn't bad to go through if the road is actually open. There is a little detour through downtown Toledo that is actually pretty quick and gets you back to Rt. 2 (or my preference, Rt. 51) with only about a 10 minute delay. Of course, that's assuming that downtown Toledo is dead of traffic, which it always is unless there's a baseball game on. If you're coming from the north, and you do take 75 to the Turnpike, then yah, that's a really long detour.

I am coming from Pontiac MI, I usually take 75 to 280 to 2. With 280 being closed for 7 months is there another way that I can take to get to 2? Or is my only option now to take the turnpike to CP?

Take 75 and get off in Toledo on Washington Street. This will take you straight into downtown. Stay straight on Washington until you pass the ballpark, then take a left onto Summit Street. Follow this past COSI until you get to Cherry Street. It will be at the intersection where a large glass skyscraper is on your right. Take a right there, and go over the bridge and past the sports arena. Hang a right on Front Street, follow it around the curve where it becomes Oak Street. This will take you right to Woodville Road, which is Rt. 2. There is one point where Rt. 2 takes a jog left at an intersection, but if you just watch the signs it's easy to follow.

Trust me, this route is a lot easier than I make it sound, I just have a tendancy to give very detailed directions.

Wow, I hope it is easier than it sounds. I will give it a try. Thanks!

Couple things though......when I get off on Washington street is there only one way I can go? The other thing, are these roads marked well?
*** Edited 3/24/2005 11:56:44 PM UTC by wingnut***

Yah, when you exit on Washington, it's just a straight road from the exit, no turning involved. The roads are well marked, so you shouldn't have a problem with finding them. The only one that might be tricky is Oak Street because it's the only one with a regular street sign and not a huge one that hangs from the traffic lights.

Great thanks for the info.

After rereading this thread am I correct in assuming that the 75 South to 280 South to Rte 2 is ok until late May? I'm thinking of our drive in the morning....

Best way since I-280 is messed up would probably be US-23 to I-80/90 (the turnpike).