Residents react to new I-71 interchange proposal

BRUNSWICK, Ohio (WJW) — People who live along Boston Road in Brunswick reacted to the news that ODOT and NOACA are taking a new look at easing congestion near the Cuyahoga and Medina County lines.

“I’m happy with this, this is how it should have been done from the beginning,” said Susan Mazzola, resident.

For decades, residents and city officials in both Brunswick and Strongsville have been at odds over a proposed interchange connecting Boston Road to I-71 to help ease the traffic.

Transportation officials say the plan is to bring in an outside consultant to conduct a traffic study to help improve traffic in and around the cities.

“This is how it should have been done. It was supposed to check all the areas, not just Boston Road,” said Sharia Kellums, resident.

“There is a common ground that there is an issue. There are some differences on how to solve the issue,” said ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning.

This update comes on the heels of a feasibility study conducted by the city of Strongsville.

ODOT said the study did not provide “an obvious solution.”

“This will come up with a range of options, menu of options, how can we solve this in a way that most of the people involved say is an acceptable way?” said Bruning.

The study is expected to take up to two years to complete. It could begin later this year. ODOT says NOACA must first approve the plan at its board meeting in September.

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