For Immediate Release 
January 14, 2005 

ODOT Announces Changes, $23.5 Million in Additional Funds for U.S. 24

Bowling Green - Ohio Department of Transportation District Deputy Director Todd Audet today 
announced changes to the development of U.S. 24 in Henry and Lucas County. 

On Wednesday, January 12, the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) tentatively approved 
an additional $23.5 million (construction and right-of-way acquisition) for the 22 mile section of the 
new U.S. 24 between Napoleon and Maumee. ODOT sought, and has tentatively received, this money 
in order to make the following changes: 
* The new U.S. 24 will be a freeway, with no at-grade crossings, instead of an expressway as 
originally proposed. 
* This change means that five new overpasses and a new interchange at State Route 295 will be 
constructed. The new overpasses will be located at County Roads 3, 4A, and 10 in Henry 
County, and at Providence-Neapolis-Swanton Road and Neowash Road in Lucas County. 

"As ODOT's and its consultant did Level of Service analyses for the new U.S. 24 and all its crossroads, 
the analyses found that there wouldn't be enough gaps in the U.S. 24 traffic to allow for safe movement 
of traffic across U.S. 24 at these locations," stated Deputy Director Audet. "Therefore, ODOT went to 
TRAC to ask for the $23.5 million needed to make the change from an expressway to a freeway, and to 
make these safety-related improvements." 

"The consultant's findings confirm many of the public comments received during the various public 
meetings," stated Planning and Programs Administrator Mike Ligibel. "Many comments received from 
EMS providers, school transportation officials, and the public in general, included concerns about the 
safe movement of traffic across U.S. 24 at at-grade intersections." 

TRAC will receive comments for the next three months before making their funding decisions 
permanent. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Joe Rutherford, Administrator 
District Two, 317 E. Poe Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 
Phone: (419) 373-4471 
Email: joe.rutherford@dot.state.oh.us