Local Highway Construction Season Kicks Off
Improving for today…connecting to tomorrow

LIMA – A bridge deck replacement on U.S. 68/Ohio 15 south of Findlay and the completion of an interchange with new U.S. 30 west of Upper Sandusky top the list of projects which will take place this construction season on area highways.

The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 announced today its list of projects which will occur on highways within the eight-county area of district 1 which includes Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Wyandot.

“We will have a total of 27 projects occurring this year which includes 75 miles of resurfacing and six bridge and culvert projects, as well as several ongoing projects,” said Tim Burkepile, Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 deputy director.

The completion of the interchange between new U.S. 30 and County Highway 330 on the west side of Upper Sandusky will signify the end of the relocation and expansion of U.S. 30 through northwest Ohio. Work on the interchange began last year and is expected to be completed late this summer. The new, four-lane highway from Ohio 235 to Upper Sandusky opened to traffic in November 2007.

In addition, the expansion and relocation of U.S. 24 through Paulding, Defiance and Henry counties will continue. Those projects are part of the Fort to Port projects which will expand the route to four lanes from Fort Wayne, Ind. to Toledo.

Already under way this season is a bridge deck replacement project on U.S. 68/Ohio 15 south of the City of Findlay which is restricting traffic to one lane through the work zone.

Last week, ODOT Director James Beasley announced the statewide construction program which will see $2.5 billion in construction contracts awarded over the next year and a half – the largest amount ever awarded in that time frame. “We are investing in what truly matters to Ohio, targeting the state’s resources at our greatest needs and our greatest opportunities,” said Beasley.

Topping the statewide list of construction projects are 80 interstate construction projects totaling approximately $605 million and 823 paving and rehabilitation projects on state and U.S. routes totaling more than $1.1 billion.

Up-to-date information about the 2008 construction season can be found at www.buckeyetraffic.org. ODOT is also distributing its 2008 Interstate Construction Brochure, a useful tool to help motorists plan ahead for local and statewide travel.
###

For more information, contact: Rhonda Pees, ODOT District 1, 419-999-6803
or Scott Varner (Central Office Communications) at 614-644-8640.