End of Historic Project in Dayton marks
End of ODOT’s 2009 Construction Season

Construction at I-70/I-75 Interchange Complete

DAYTON (Monday, November 23, 2009) - With the thunderous boom of a cannon signaling the end of construction on the Interstate 70/I-75 interchange north of Dayton, the Ohio Department of Transportation ceremoniously wrapped up its 2009 construction season - a season that had more than 800 active construction and maintenance projects in every region of the Buckeye State.

“When you combine ODOT’s state and federal funds with the stimulus dollars Ohio received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we are in the midst of the greatest investment in Ohio’s transportation system by more than a third,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris.

Director Molitoris joined Governor Strickland and officials from the Miami Valley to celebrate the completion of the seven-year $145 million modernization of the I-70/75 “Crossroads of America” Interchange. The project has transformed the interchange into one of the most modern, efficient and safest interstate crossroads in the country.

Modernization of the I-70/I-75 Interchange:

Replacing the old 1950’s style cloverleaf interchange with state-of-the-art directional ramps, the new design of this heavily-travelled interchange improves safety and traffic flow, eliminates weaving, and will meet the future traffic demands.

Both interstates represent strategic logistics and distribution route for Ohio and the nation. Approximately 154,000 vehicles pass through this interchange each day.

With more than 150 construction workers employed during height of the construction, the project included the construction of sixteen new bridges and a new railroad overpass, the widening of four local roads, and rebuilding of eight ramps.

The interchange also features impressions of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, military fighter jets flying in formation, and images of Apollo 9, the Lunar Module, the earth and moon and the American flag in retaining walls adjacent to the interstate routes.

In 2004, this interchange was federally dedicated as the Freedom Veterans Crossroads. Today’s dedication included representatives from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, local veterans groups, and the firing of a military cannon.

Wrapping Up ODOT’s Construction Season:

This year, ODOT had more than 800 active construction and maintenance projects in every region of Ohio, totaling more than $3.7 billion. While work will continue at many projects the next few months, major construction will slow as Ohio enters the winter season.

The 2009 ODOT construction season included 40 interstate projects, 78 bridge replacement projects, and dozens of multi-modal investments for improvements on railroads, at airports, and along waterways.

The I-70/75 Interchange modernization was one of 415 projects wrapped up this year. On average, more than half of these projects were completed at least two weeks early.

For more information, contact Paula Putnam, Central Office Communications, at (614) 728-8915
or your local ODOT District Communications Office.