LORAIN, Ohio — A roadway improvement project is underway at the intersection of Colorado Avenue (State Route 611) and Henderson Drive, where city engineers have identified a pattern of crashes and traffic hazards in recent years.
According to the City of Lorain Engineer’s Office, the construction work is aimed at reducing the frequency of accidents at the busy intersection. Traffic will be impacted through late July, with semi-truck detours and pedestrian sidewalk closures in place as the project continues.
Crash data compiled between 2019 and 2021 recorded 30 accidents at the intersection, including nine that resulted in injuries. Of those, 13 were linked to turning movements — primarily involving the northbound right-turn lane on Henderson Drive.
City planning documents note that the existing traffic configuration allows vehicles to turn into an active through lane, increasing the likelihood of rear-end and sideswipe collisions. The current layout also includes a concrete pedestrian island, which officials say creates additional risk by forcing pedestrians to wait between traffic lanes and by encouraging higher-speed turns.
To address these concerns, the project will eliminate the pedestrian island, reconstruct traffic signals, and reconfigure lanes to better separate turning vehicles from through traffic. Sidewalks on both Henderson Drive and Colorado Avenue have been temporarily closed while crews complete surface improvements.
The project is being completed in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation, following previous traffic studies and planning efforts. No specific completion date has been announced, but the city expects work to conclude by the end of summer.