The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced that it expects to invest a record $2.5 billion into more than 1,000 projects during this year’s construction season to improve transportation and make Ohio’s roads safer across the state.
“There is no better place to be than right here in Ohio, and these new projects will help us keep our infrastructure in a good state of repair,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Everyone in our state benefits from safe roads, and I am looking forward to seeing the end results of this year’s roadway improvement projects.”
This year’s construction program includes 31 new projects that are considered “major” with a value above $10 million. There are 190 safety projects aimed directly at reducing serious or deadly crashes. More than 5,700 miles of pavement will be improved, and 823 bridges will be repaired or replaced.
“These investments are made possible by hard-working Ohioans who use these roads and bridges every day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and family vacations. It is our duty to ensure the resources entrusted to us are used wisely,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
This construction season isn’t all about building new roads. About 95 cents of every dollar is being invested back into preserving existing roads and bridges.
It is important for motorists to pay extra attention when driving through work zones. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,628 work zone-related crashes in Ohio last year, 21 were deadly resulting in 23 deaths and 85 involved serious injuries. Summit County recorded the most in the state with 814 work zone crashes. June is the top month for work zone crashes (585) with Wednesday being the top day (833). Most occur between 3 – 5 P.M.
In 2022, there were 133 ODOT crews (workers, vehicles, and equipment) struck while working along Ohio roadways.
“These workers are out there ensuring that your travels are as safe as possible. They just ask for your attention and patience in return,” said Marchbanks.
Ohio’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane for vehicles with flashing lights. If drivers cannot safely move over, they are required to slow down.
Crawford County’s 2023 Projects are as follows. These are in addition to ODOT District 3-wide projects that include mowing, maintenance, and more.
Project 1:
- PID: 108736
- Location: State Route 598, City of Galion
- Project: Safety improvement, widening, and turn lane addition (Carter Dr. to Brandt Rd.)
- Sale Date: July 15, 2021
- Award Date: July 22, 2021
- Estimated Begin: September 2021
- Estimated End: May 2023
- Project Cost: $4.5 million
- Contractor: Reitshlin Construction
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 2:
- PID: 105452
- Location: State Route 96
- Project: Rehabilitation, full depth reclamation (SR 98 to SR 602)
- Sale Date: August 25, 2022
- Award Date: September 1, 2022
- Estimated Begin: May 2023
- Estimated End: September 2023
- Project Cost: $3.5 million
- Contractor: Kokosing Construction Company Inc.
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 3:
- PID: 97042
- Locations:
- Crawford County: SR 39 (south of Hilborn Ave to just west of Hinesville North Road)
- Richland County: SR 39 (just west of Hinesville North Road to east of Funk Road); SR 96 (SR 39 to just west of Hines Road)
- Project: Resurfacing
- Sale Date: January 12, 2023
- Estimated Begin: April 2023
- Estimated End: August 2023
- Project Cost: $1.6 million
- Contractor: Kokosing Construction Co.
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 4:
- PID: 116940
- Locations:
- SR 103 (SR 4 to village of New Washington west corporation limit, and village of New Washington east corporation limit to Baseline Road)
- SR 602 (SR 19 to just north of Boyer Road, and south of Lower Leesville Road to Old Lincoln Hwy)
- Project: Chip Seal
- Sale Date: June 8, 2023
- Estimated Begin: August 2023
- Estimated End: October 2023
- Project Cost: $1.2 million
- Contractor: Unknown
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 5:
- PID: 111650
- Locations:
- Urban paving in the city of Galion
- Resurfacing in the village of Crestline & the village of Lexington
- SR 61 (between SR 97 and the village of Crestline corporation limit)
- SR 309 (from SR 61 to the Richland County line)
- U.S. 42 (between Holloway Road to Fox Road)
- Sale Date: February 23, 2023
- Estimated Begin: June 2023
- Estimated End: September 2023
- Project Cost: $3.9 million
- Contractor: Unknown
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 6:
- PID: 113887
- Locations: Various routes in Crawford County
- SR 96 (west to SR 96 east along SR 598)
- SR 181 (SR 61 to Scott Street)
- SR 598 (Old Lincoln Hwy to SR 96, SR 96 to SR 39, and U.S. 30 to Old Lincoln Hwy)
- Project: Resurfacing
- Sale Date: September 14, 2023
- Estimated Begin: May 2024
- Estimated End: August 2024
- Project Cost: $2.1 million
- Contractor: Unknown
- Traffic Impacts: Traffic maintained at all times
Project 7:
- PID: 114551
- Locations: U.S. Route 30 culvert preservation
- U.S. 30 (between Crawford Wyandot Road and Marion-Melmore Road)
- U.S. 30 (between Marion-Melmore Road and Nevada Wynford Road)
- U.S. 30 (just west of Knauss Road)
- U.S. 30 (eastbound exit ramp to Old Lincoln Hwy/CR 330)
- Sale Date: October 1, 2023
- Estimated Begin: April 2024
- Estimated End: October 2024
- Project Cost: $412,500
- Contractor: Unknown
- Traffic Impacts: 30-day detour
Source: ODOT; Image by s m anamul rezwan from Pixabay
