From now until the end of November motorists traveling the bridges going from Ashland into Ohio will share the roadway with crews working on lights and signs there.

“Periodically we have to do upgrades on the signals to meet Federal Highway regulations,” said Kathleen Fuller, public information officer for Ohio Department of Transportation, District 9. “It is not just technology. They become old and dated.”

The project includes the traffic signals at the Coal Grove end of the Simeon Willis Bridge, along with 23 highway lights for about two-tenths of a mile west of the bridge.

“We will be reconstructing the signals at the end of bridges and reconstructing the lighting system,” Fuller said. “We will replace the electrical system and it goes hand and hand with replacing the conduits.”

Right now the westbound lanes have been partially moved to the shoulder to give crews necessary working space.

“They have pushed the traffic over to maintain multiple lanes,” she said. “It gives protection for the people working.”

On top of the lighting project directional and informational signs for about a mile either way of the bridges will be replaced.

No delays are currently occurring, but when it is time to make the changeover to the new traffic lights, there will be a slowdown in traffic.

“That is very temporary and they would flag traffic,” Fuller said. “The shutdown of signals will be of short duration.”

And the switchover would not occur during peak traffic times of 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.

“They will keep traffic moving,” Fuller said.

Contractors for the project at a cost of $809,775, is Complete Construction of Columbus.