Pittsburg Avenue Roundabouts

The intersections of Pittsburg Avenue with Shuffel and Orion Streets in Jackson Township, Ohio, are crucial for local businesses. With ongoing and future developments, improving this corridor’s infrastructure became a priority for the local economy. 

Pittsburg Avenue, a two-lane road next to the North Canton Cemetery, had two signalized intersections 450 feet apart at Shuffel and Orion streets. Persistent traffic congestion during peak hours caused long queues and frustration for drivers. 

Traffic on Shuffel Street between Whipple Avenue and Pittsburg Avenue had more than quadrupled due to the nearby I-77/Shuffel Street interchange and new industries. This led to traffic volumes exceeding 25,000 vehicles per day, increasing queuing issues, compromising safety, and causing 42 reported accidents between 2015 and 2017. 

To address these challenges, Stark County Engineer enlisted the team to improve the roadway, including a safety study, environmental planning, preliminary and final roundabout design, and right-of-way planning and acquisition services. 

The initial feasibility study concluded that constructing roundabouts at both intersections would optimize traffic flow and significantly improve safety. 

Previously, left turns to and from Pittsburg Avenue into the Dunkin’ driveway caused traffic bottlenecks. By adding splitter islands and a raised concrete median, the team prevented left turns into the driveway, increasing traffic control. Customers can now safely access Dunkin’ via U-turns at the roundabouts, easing congestion. 

Public involvement was vital for this project, as it affected a substantial number of residents, businesses, and nearby neighborhoods. Key stakeholders included the North Canton Cemetery, Dunkin’, Advantage Home Health, and residential sites, each presenting unique challenges.  

Open communication and collaboration between the affected parties and the design team was necessary to instill a sense of ownership among those involved, leading to successful coordination with residents, businesses, and stakeholders. 

A critical priority was ensuring no impacts to the North Canton Cemetery roadway-adjacent headstones. Detailed electronic mapping of the cemetery plots pinpointed crucial headstone locations. Plan notes explicitly outlined restrictions to working near the gravesites, providing clear guidance to the contractor on where their equipment could operate. 

The project’s innovation centered on developing a design that accommodated the steep 9% grades along Pittsburg Avenue and Shuffel Street. These grades required close study to meet sight distance requirements, avoid the cemetery plots, and minimize disruptions to Advantage Home Health. 

A strategic purchase of the parcel at the northeast corner of Orion Street allowed for adjustments to the roundabout’s location. Relocating the roundabout into the newly acquired property reduced impacts on Advantage Home Health. It also provided additional clearance from the North Canton Cemetery and eased construction constraints.  

Aesthetics and sustainability were also integral to the project. The splitter islands feature stamped, coral-tinted concrete finishes, providing a modern design, while the retaining wall incorporates a decorative, stained brick treatment in warm tones. Native flowers, grasses, and bushes support environmental sustainability and improve the central island’s aesthetics by contributing to a unified visual theme. 

Lastly, the project included the following additional design elements:  

• Lighting 

• Storm sewer systems 

• Waterline installations 

• Curbs and gutter installations 

• Complex MOT planning 

• Full-depth roadway reconstruction 

• Asphalt paving and pavement markings 

• Signage 

The completed project has revitalized the Pittsburg Avenue corridor by alleviating congestion, reducing queue lengths, and improving traffic flow and safety. It also eased connections between the Akron-Canton Airport, industrial centers, and I-77, enabling efficient travel and supporting economic growth in Stark County. Additionally, integrating aesthetics and sustainability features further enhances the corridor’s appeal. Positive community feedback reflects the project’s success in meeting the needs of residents, businesses, and commuters alike.