MANSFIELD — Richland County drivers were warned this announcement was coming, and the pain will be very short, but it’s here.
The intersection of Lexington-Springmill and Home roads will close to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 11 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“The closure will allow for the installation of the permanent streetlights,” Richland County Engineer Adam Gove said.
The long-anticipated completion of the roundabout project allowed for the reopening of the B&O trail on Oct. 24. The intersection was opened for road traffic on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
There will be no through access during the closure, and motorists will need to follow the posted detour.
Gove said the intersection was working with temporary lighting fixtures due to a delivery delay of permanent equipment.
Rather than keep the roadway closed to traffic indefinitely, Gove directed the contractor to place temporary lighting at the site.
“We were hoping to have the roadway intersection open last Friday,” Gove told commissioners last week.
“We were told the permanent streetlighting was coming in (Monday) — yesterday and today. That did not show up. They don’t know when the permanent streetlighting is going to show up.”
Finally, that equipment has arrived, leading to the this week’s two-day closure.
As a reminder, motorists and bike trail users should use extra caution as traffic adjusts to the new intersection.