The Summit County Council held a special meeting on January 23, 2024, to address pressing issues concerning traffic management, particularly focusing on State Route 224 (SR 224). The meeting began with a discussion on the ongoing traffic study related to a new project and its implications for local traffic patterns.

Council members expressed significant concern regarding the current traffic challenges on SR 224, which is already experiencing congestion. The discussion highlighted that while the interior roadways of the project may not be problematic, SR 224 itself poses a substantial issue that is expected to worsen over time due to increasing regional traffic.

Participants emphasized the need for effective mitigation strategies to address the traffic concerns on SR 224. It was noted that proposed solutions, such as adding an additional northbound lane, may only serve as temporary fixes rather than addressing the root of the problem. The council acknowledged the necessity for a comprehensive approach to improve traffic flow on SR 224, recognizing that the project itself is not the primary cause of the traffic issues but rather a symptom of a larger regional traffic dilemma.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from council members to seek viable solutions for the traffic challenges on SR 224, ensuring that the community's concerns are taken seriously as they move forward in the planning process. Further discussions and follow-up actions are expected as the council continues to address these critical traffic issues.