With 40,000 people expected out at the Allen County Fairgrounds for over the next few days you can expect some traffic tie-ups along Rt. 309, and this year's traffic headaches are multiplied thanks to major construction around I-75.
Gladys Ford and her husband have lived in their house along 309 for 30 years. Since the I-75 corridor project started a few months ago, they've seen a big change in the number of cars passing by their house.
"We've seen a lot more traffic around here," Ford said.
The Fourth St. and Reservoir Road bridges are closed, detouring most drivers to Rt. 309. It's starting to cause traffic headaches for many people, especially during rush hour.
"When they're going to lunch and when they're going be going out to eat dinner or whatever," Ford said.
Traffic along Rt. 309 has already been worse just because of construction along the I-75 corridor and people who live along Rt. 309 say with the 4 Wheel Jamboree this weekend it's only going to get worse.
"Oh boy," Ford exclaimed. "I think it's going to be a good time for us to stay in."
More than 40,000 people are expected at the Allen County Fairgrounds for the 4 Wheel Jamboree and most of those people will be coming in on Rt. 309, but the Allen County Sheriff's Department doesn't plan on any increased patrols for the area.
"The construction isn't going to affect any of our plans as far as traffic and working it. The way construction is I don't expect any big change in the traffic," Chief Deputy Jim Everett, said.
If you do plan on heading to the east side, take this advice.
"People that are out on the east side of Lima this weekend expect a lot of traffic, be patient, unless you have business out there you might want to take an alternate route to go around that area," Chief Deputy Everett, said.
"Stay home or go the back routes for as long as we have it," Ford suggested.
