Get used to the orange barrels; we will be seeing a lot of them this construction season.The Ohio Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday their plans to address infrastructure needs and maintenance of roads across the state.
Last year, ODOT spent a record of $2.4 billion on construction, and this year that number comes in just below that, at $2.1 billion. ODOT has a lot planned across District 1, and some big projects in Allen County.
$2.1 billion will be spent on more than 1,100 construction projects state-wide. 40 of them, right here in District One.
The I-75 project in Allen County will be wrapping up later this year. One of the most prominent projects in Allen County will be State Route 309, where $8 million will be spent.
On the west end of Lima - curb, gutter and paving projects taking place from Robb Avenue to Cole St. From Eastown Road to Delphos, pavement widening, drainage improvement and resurfacing.
Delays and one lane closures are expected on the west side, but the same is not true for the east side.
Another big project will be State Route 117 with 501 and Wapak Road being completely reconstructed to improve lines of sight.
ODOT officials say they have a lot of work ahead and drivers already know what that means.
"A little bit of congestion, we're just hoping for the driver's patience," said.
ODOT expects all the projects planned for this year to be finished up by Thanksgiving.
Besides those projects, ODOT is investing millions of dollars in some other projects in our area. Around $5.5 million dollars will be used in Mercer County to help make improvements to state routes 49, 707 and 118.
$2.4 million will be used to resurface State Route 66 from Shipman Road North of St. Marys to State Route 29 in St. Marys.
Nearly $2.3 million will be used to resurface parts of State Route 12 from the west county line until Columbus Grove and 65 north of Columbus Grove to Leipsic in Putnam County
And up in Hancock County $5.4 million will be used to resurface 75 around Findlay.
