As part of the county-led Summit Connects initiative, construction work will begin in Northfield Center Township the week of August 3, 2025. This work is being performed by Peterson Excavating, under the management of the Development Finance Authority (DFA) and funded entirely by Summit County.
🔌 What is the Summit Connects Project?
It’s a 130-mile high-speed fiber network connecting all 31 communities in Summit County. The network will improve public safety communications and government services — but will not provide internet service to homes or businesses at this time.
🚧 What to Expect in Northfield Center:
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Work begins near the western border of SR 82 (close to Sagamore Hills) and primarily follows Olde 8 Road past the municipal building, with construction continuing into Boston Heights.
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A Point of Presence (PoP) — a key hub where fiber connects into the larger network — will be installed on E Highland Road.
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Construction will primarily involve underground directional boring of 2″ conduits, with some overhead (aerial) cable in certain areas.
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No township-owned utilities are expected to interfere, and ODOT’s SR 82 repaving was noted with no anticipated conflicts.
🛠️ Construction & Traffic:
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The contractor will place yard signs one week before work begins and remove them after restoration is complete.
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Traffic control and safety will follow a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan with third-party oversight.
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Parking of equipment overnight is allowed in designated areas. The fire station lot may be used for staging, and coordination with emergency and school traffic is a priority.
🌱 Restoration Timeline:
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Restoration is expected within 7–10 days after work in each area is completed, following ODOT specifications.
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Restoration progress is monitored digitally and tied to contractor payments to ensure timely, quality work.
📬 Stay Informed:
Visit the Summit Connects website or contact [email protected] for maps, timelines, and FAQs.