City to keep Stimson Avenue bridge one-way until Sept. 12; parking, shuttle and street closures planned for game day

The mayor said the Stimson Avenue Bridge will remain westbound one-way until 5 p.m. on Sept. 12, when it will revert to two-way, signalized traffic on the new driving surface. "We are gonna continue with the one way, on the bridge surface westbound. That'll continue on until September 12 at 5PM," the mayor said.

Why it matters: the one-way pattern and other traffic changes coincide with a busy weekend of events, including a home football game and Fall Fest, and are intended to manage increased traffic and pedestrian activity.

Traffic and game-day logistics: the mayor said the city will offer parking at the fairgrounds and operate a shuttle between the fairgrounds and the stadium on game day. He said park-and-tailgate areas will open at 7 a.m., about nine hours before kickoff and roughly two hours earlier than normal gate opening, to accommodate heavier traffic. The mayor urged drivers to expect altered routes and congestion as large numbers of visitors arrive on Route 50 and nearby approaches and use Richland Avenue to enter the city.

Street closure for Fall Fest: the mayor said Ohio Brew Week will stage a Fall Fest that includes a street closing on West Union Street between Congress and Court Street.

What was not specified: the mayor described alternate traffic routes and referenced state routes but did not provide complete, precise route numbers for all detours in the broadcast; specific traffic-control plans, detour signage locations, and enforcement details were not given.

Next steps: motorists and attendees should expect the Stimson one-way pattern through Sept. 12, use the fairgrounds parking and shuttle if offered, and plan for a West Union Street closure during Fall Fest.