From staff reports

Motorists on State Route 243 and County Road 12 in Lawrence County can expect a change in traffic movement this week as crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation Lawrence County Highway Maint-enance Facility install new stop signs.

On Thursday, crews will install a new stop sign and advance warning signs on State Route 243 East and on County Road 12 (Big Paddy Road) at Rome. Currently, all traffic is directed to stop at the junction of State Route 243 West with Big Paddy Road, yielding to State Route 243 East and Big Paddy traffic. With the installation of the new stop sign, the juncture of these routes will become a three-way stop and all motorists will be directed to stop in both directions on state Route 243 and on Big Paddy Road.

The change will be in effect upon completion of the crew’s installation project, which is expected to be by the end of the business day on Thursday. Motorists are advised to pay heed to the sign change and exercise additional caution when traveling through this new traffic zone.