ODOT lists highway construction projects

Ohio Dept. of Transportation information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Transportation is launching a $2.4 billion investment in transportation construction, which will include the state’s first ever public-private partnership. It’s all part of Gov. John R. Kasich’s Jobs and Transportation Plan, which is in its third year, to advance some of the state’s largest projects.

ODOT’s 2015 construction season includes a state record 990 projects — up 50 from 2014.

The state’s first ever public-private partnership — or P3 — begins construction in Scioto County this spring. The Portsmouth Gateway Group is set to build a $429 million, 16-mile highway that will be the state’s largest, modern earthwork project to date. The Portsmouth Bypass is a four-lane limited access highway from U.S. 23 north of Lucasville to U.S. 52 near Sciotoville. It is designed to complete the missing link of the Appalachian Highway System in Ohio and fuel economic development in the region.

“New interchanges and wider roads are the focus of this year’s construction season,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “While our number one priority is to maintain what we already have, this year’s projects place a strong emphasis on improving the economy, safety, and overall quality of life in Ohio.”

Highlights of ODOT’s construction program include:

• 297 bridge and culvert projects totaling $398 million
• 278 pavement projects totaling $523 million
• 219 safety projects totaling $250 million
• 38 major construction projects totaling more than $1 billion
• 81 county bridge replacements through Gov. Kasich’s Bridge Partnership Program

Locally, projects designed to help the residents and businesses include:

• Continuation of the reconstruction of 5.5 miles of existing lanes on I-75, from Fourth Street to the Auglaize County line, Lima, including the replacement of overhead structures at McClain and Hanthorn roads, and the reconstruction of interchanges at Ohio 65 and Breese Road.
• Reconstruction of West Main Street (Lincoln Highway) in the city of Van Wert, from Fisher Street to John Brown Road.
• Resurfacing of U.S. 23 from the Conrail railroad overpass just west of Ohio 199 north of Upper Sandusky to just south of County Road 47; and on U.S. 30 from just west of Township Highway 49 to the U.S. 23 interchange, Upper Sandusky.
• Resurfacing and repair of pavement joints on I-75 from just south of the County Road 60 overpass to just north of the County Road 313 overpass, Bluffton.

Go to transportation.ohio.gov/Services/RoadConstruction for statewide construction information.

As a reminder, this is the second construction season Ohio’s Move Over Law extends to construction and utility vehicles, as well as law enforcement, safety and towing vehicles. It requires motorists to cautiously shift over one lane — or slow down if changing lanes is not possible — when passing any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of a road.

When driving through work zones, motorists can increase safety by staying alert and giving their full attention to the road, following all posted signs and flagger instructions, and not tailgating.