January 9, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Transportation: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025) - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) closed 2024 having completed or initiated over 300 projects to maintain or construct highway infrastructure, and improve safety in northwest Ohio. Approximately 90 contract projects totaling $560 million were managed in 2024. Another 200 or so projects were completed by ODOT's own forces throughout the 16-county region. Here are the notable highlights: Major construction, performed by contract with ODOT oversight: |  | Construction began in 2024 on an interchange reconstruction at County Road 99 and Interstate 75, Findlay, Hancock County. The project is replacing the existing traditional interchange with a diverging diamond interchange to improve traffic flow. The project will complete in 2026. |
A bridge rehabilitation project on Lime City Road over I-75, Rossford, Lucas County, was substantially completed in 2024. The project raised and widened the bridge to accommodate a multi-use path. The bridge sustained significant damage in 2023 in a strike by an over-height load. The project was constructed under a design-build contract method which resulted in the project being completed much faster than is typical.
Listen as ODOT Project Engineer Kyle Rudel recaps the project. |  |  |
 |  | U.S. 68/State Route 15 interchange reconfiguration and roundabout construction, south of the city of Findlay, Hancock County, was completed in conjunction with the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. The project supports a future flood mitigation project being undertaken by the conservancy district. |
Major milestones were reached in 2024 on the project that is widening
I-475 from the Maumee River to Airport Highway, and constructing a new diverging diamond interchange at U.S. 20A, Maumee, Lucas County. Late in 2024, the route was opened to three lanes in each direction. Work on the interchange is progressing and is expected to open in early 2025. The project utilized pre-tied epoxy-coated rebar mats for the first time in Ohio. (View the video of the machine in process). |  |  |
 |  | A pavement rehabilitation, resurfacing, and slope repair project was substantially completed on U.S. 24 in Defiance and Paulding counties. The slide repairs are complete and roughly eight miles of pavement have been cracked and paved up to the intermediate course.
To complete the project in 2025, roughly four miles of pavement remain to crack and pave up to the intermediate course, including ramps at Baltimore Street. The entire 11-mile zone will be paved with final surface course, and permanent striping, rumble strips, pavement reflectors, and new signs throughout the work zone will be installed.
The project employed the crack and seat method (video) to prepare the pavement for resurfacing. |
 A bridge on U.S. 127 over the Maumee River near Sherwood, Defiance County, was opened to traffic in May 2024. The project replaced a 1946 structure and added public river access for canoers and kayakers. |  |  |
 |  |  The ribbon was cut on the Gateway to the Islands project which constructed a roundabout at the westbound State Route 2 to State Route 53 interchange, and at the State Route 53 and State Road intersection, Port Clinton, Ottawa County. The project also added a two-way left-turn lane on State Route 53. Located in one of the state’s most popular tourist areas, the project was completed outside of the busy summer travel season. |
Notable work completed by ODOT’s own maintenance workforce:
 |  | Replacement of 136 feet of concrete drainage pipe along State Route 115 in Putnam County was performed by combined forces from ODOT District 1 and District 2. The project was completed in conjunction with the Putnam County Engineer's office to reduce the occurrence of flooding along the route and improve motorists' safety. |
Numerous speed-related issues resulting in crashes, including multiple semi-rollovers, were occurring at the intersection of U.S. 127 and U.S. 20, Fulton County. Maintenance crews adjusted the signs and updated pavement markings under the guidance of the traffic safety engineering department. The shoulder on U.S. 127 was widened to allow wider turns for semi-tractors. |  |  |
 |  | Multiple dips in the pavement in the southbound direction at the Interstate 75/Interstate 280 split, Lucas County, was providing a rough ride for motorists. Combined crews from the ODOT Northwood, Lucas County, and roadway services department milled out and repaved the areas. Pavement smoothness was substantially improved following the project, prompting phone calls from truck drivers to compliment our crews on the improvements. |
 Other notable accomplishments:The real-time CORS (continuously operating reference station) statewide network celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. Since its launch in 2004, ODOT District 2 has been a leader in testing, maintaining, and implementing this world-class GNSS (global navigation satellite system) network.
With 66 stations and over 10,000 active users ranging from surveyors to farmers and law enforcement, the network is vital for obtaining precise GPS data. District 2 has consistently led the state in leveraging this technology daily to enhance safety, efficiency, and production across projects, showcasing its value as a critical tool in modern operations. | Â |  |
 |  | The Ohio State Highway Patrol was directed by Governor Mike DeWine to undertake an effort to reduce the trend of crashes occurring within highway work zones. During a four-month period in 2024, 385 troopers were stationed within highway work zones throughout northwest Ohio targeting crash-causing violations such as exceeding the speed limit, driving impaired, driving distracted, and reckless driving. There were 1,000 citations and 311 warnings issued during that time, but the greatest benefit was the improved sense of safety given to ODOT workers and contractors. |
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