ODOT installs dozens of traffic cameras

CLEVELAND - The Ohio Department of Transportation will be putting up dozens of traffic cameras.

The cameras are to monitor the flow of traffic on area highways. The cameras also will provide minute-by-minute information with just the click of a mouse, before drivers get behind the wheel. 

The Intelligent Transportation System will include 83 traffic cameras, 29 message boards, 32 vehicle detectors and seven highway advisory radios throughout Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage and Lake Counties. 

The Akron/Canton region will get 64 traffic cameras, 18 dynamic message board, 18 vehicles detectors and two highway advisory radios.

So far, there are three cameras up and running. One at Interstate 71 at Pearl Road. Interstate 480 westbound at State Road and Interstate 77 northbound at Pershing Avenue. The project is expected to be completed in December 2011.

It is a $18.2 million project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 

ODOT spokeswoman Jocelynn Clemings stresses the cameras are to help drivers navigate area highways and she said," They're not speed cameras, not big brother." 

If you want to check the traffic, go to www.BuckeyeTraffic.org .