COLUMBUS, Ohio — Construction season has begun and Ohio drivers will soon see several new road projects.
This year, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced they are investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. Thirty-nine of the projects are classified as “major projects,” with a value above $10 million.
In central Ohio alone, construction will begin on 53 projects for a total investment of $1.2 billion. According to ODOT, the projects include safety, bridge, pavement and major reconstruction projects.
“Investing in efficient infrastructure is an investment in quality of life,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Once complete, these projects will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve roadway safety.”
This year’s construction program includes 176 safety projects and laying nearly 5,700 miles of pavement – enough to pave a two-lane road from New York City to Los Angeles.
Some notable projects include:
- Widening state Route 435 in Fayette County to four lanes between U.S. Route 35 and state Route 729
- Pavement repairs on U.S. Route 33 in Union County through Marysville
- Resurfacing of state Route 95 through Morrow and Marion Counties
- Replacement of the U.S. Route 36/state Route 37 bridge over Interstate 71 in Delaware County
Drivers will also see progress at the Interstate 70/71 split in downtown Columbus, the I-70/270 interchange on the east side, and at state Route 161 and Post Road in Dublin.
South of the city, work continues on widening I-71 between the Franklin County line and state Route 56 in Madison County.
“While the orange barrels that are synonymous with summer may be a source of frustration and inconvenience for some, they are a sign of progress and improvement for all who live in Ohio and who travel through it,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
ODOT reminds drivers to watch out for construction zones and not to speed. Forty-two crews have been hit while working so far this year. The Ohio State Highway Patrol wrote more than 3,700 citations with 34% for speeds more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit, according to ODOT.