HANCOCK COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - The director of the Ohio Department of Transportation is calling this year's construction season "historic" for the Buckeye State.
The ODOT districts in northwest Ohio held a construction kickoff meeting at what will be District One's biggest project, the diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and County Road 99 on the north side of Findlay. The nearly $31 million construction project will start this year and is expected to be completed in 2026.
There have been the same types of interchanges built in other parts of the state, and with the growth of economic development in Findlay, the hope is that it will help improve traffic safety.
"One of the core parts of our mission is to really support economic development, and so we're at that point where this interchange needs something. It's no longer going to continue to handle this traffic—car traffic and truck traffic that it's getting and it's projected to get with anticipated growth. So we're at that point where something needs to be done, and the diverging diamond ended up being the safest, most efficient, cost-effective solution," explained Chris Hughes, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Transportation District One.
The Findlay Interchange Project is one of 39 major projects ODOT will be doing statewide this year.
"We are investing a record $2.8 billion in just this one construction season alone, which will be our largest construction season on record. Again, we have had the good fortune of wisely investing dollars entrusted to us by the citizens of Ohio and that we've been able to win from the federal government in terms of strengthening our coffers, having the dollars necessary to do projects like this," stated Jack Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
This year, ODOT will be doing 157 safety projects around the state and paving 57 hundred miles of roads, which is equivalent to paving a two-lane road from New York to Los Angeles.
April 16, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Transportation: LIMA, Ohio - (Tuesday, April 16, 2024) Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D., officially kicked off highway construction season today in Findlay.
Marchbanks met with the media for the kickoff event, held at the County Road 99 interchange with Interstate 75 in Findlay, where a project will begin this year to construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).
Along with Marchbanks, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes, and ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley provided remarks.
Construction on the interchange will begin early this spring and conclude in 2026. Miller Brothers Construction of Archbold will serve as the general contractor. The successful bid was $30.8 million.
Statewide, ODOT is kicking off a record construction season, investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. There are 39 projects classified as “major projects” with a value above $10 million.
“Investing in efficient infrastructure is an investment in quality of life,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Once complete, these projects will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve roadway safety.”
This year’s construction program also includes 176 safety projects and laying nearly 5,700 miles of pavement – enough to pave a two-lane road from New York City to Los Angeles. Projects will repair or replace 885 bridges in the state.
“While the orange barrels that are synonymous with summer may be a source of frustration and inconvenience for some, they are a sign of progress and improvement for all who live in Ohio and who travel through it,” said Marchbanks.
Other notable highway projects in northwest Ohio this year:
- U.S. 68/State Route 15 interchange ramp relocation and roundabout construction, Hancock County (Project website: 112280).
- U.S. 30 resurfacing between U.S. 68 and State Route 37, Hancock County (Project website: 114926).
- I-280 resurfacing in Wood and Lucas counties, including replacement of median barrier wall and lighting improvements. (Project website: 108584).
- Lime City Road over I-75 bridge replacement, Wood County. (Project website: 119007).
Work will continue on the following projects:
- I-475 reconstruction and widening from U.S. 24 to Airport Highway (State Route 2), and construction of a new interchange at U.S. 20A, Lucas County. Work will be largely completed this year. (Project website: 99731)
- U.S. Route 24/Anthony Wayne Trail, between Monclova Rd. and Detroit Ave., Maumee, improvement of various intersections. The project is expected to complete late 2024. (Project website: 106389)
- I-75 resurfacing from County Road 199 to Glenwood Road, Wood County. Work will complete this fall. (Project website: 92122)
- U.S. 127 bridge replacement, Defiance County. The bridge will reopen in mid-May, the project will complete this fall. (Project website: 102669)
For a complete listing of projects taking place this season:
ODOT District 1 construction guide - Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties
ODOT District 2 construction guide - Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood counties)
WORK ZONE SAFETY
So far this year, 43 ODOT crews have been struck while working. This compares to 56 ODOT crews hit all of last year. 14 ODOT workers and nine contractors were injured in work zone crashes in 2023. Sadly, one contractor was killed.
Last year, there were 4,098 work zone-related crashes in Ohio with 36% occurring when workers were present. There were 1,433 injuries from work zone-related crashes, 110 of them classified as serious injuries. Nine people were killed, including one contractor. August was the top month for work zone crashes with 523. Summit County led the state with 576 work zone crashes followed by Cuyahoga County with 521, and Lucas County with 413. By far, the top work zone crash type continues to be rear-end crashes.
Speeding continues to be a major factor in work zone crashes. In 2023, the Ohio State Highway Patrol wrote 3,760 citations with 34% for speeds more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
“Driving requires all your attention, but that is especially true in work zones where things can change quickly. Drop the distractions, obey the speed limit, and allow extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you,” said Marchbanks.
This week is also National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual event to remind motorists to be extra alert in work zones. On Wednesday, ODOT and other transportation agencies encourage you to wear orange to show support for road workers.
