State Transportation Director pledges
continued help in Northwest Ohio

TOLEDO (Thursday, June 10, 2010) - Visiting the areas of Northwest Ohio damaged by severe weather and tornadoes this past weekend, Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jolene M. Molitoris is pledging continued help by ODOT crews in restoring safe transportation for residents and businesses in Fulton, Wood, Ottawa and Lucas counties.

As of Wednesday, ODOT crews had hauled away more than 111 total loads of debris from the hardest hit areas. Over the next several days, ODOT expects its total investment of labor, equipment and materials to exceed more than $300,000.

Immediately after the storms, ODOT crews from across an eight-county region have worked around-the-clock to clear debris and repair damaged safety signage along the state highway system. Most attention was focused on restoring access along State Route 795 near the town of Millbury (Wood County).

Following Governor Ted Strickland’s emergency declaration on Sunday, ODOT crews were deployed to assist local efforts to clear debris. Over the next week, ODOT crews and heavy equipment will be working along the Main Street Millbury for debris removal.

In Ottawa County, ODOT has workers and several dump trucks, loaders, and backhoes clearing debris in the Williston/Clay Center/Trowbridge Road area.

In Fulton County, crews will be working with county officials on debris-hauling in the Swan Creek Area.

ODOT has also been in contact with the CSX freight railroad, whose yards at Walbridge and Stanley sustained heavy damage from the storms. Reports are that approximately 40 cars derailed. Damage to the track infrastructure was also sustained. ODOT has been told by the terminal manager that no delays or rerouting will be necessary to keep freight and business moving.

ODOT Director Molitoris is also getting updates from the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. The Toledo Executive Airport, formally known as Metcalf Field, located close to the heavily-damaged area near Millbury, sustained only minor damage. Flights have been able to continue with little disruption, allowing for additional assistance to access the region.

The Ottawa County Transportation Agency has also been proving updates to ODOT. The transit agency is providing bus service to emergency crews and volunteers assisting with the recovery efforts.