Tag Archives: Ohio

RoadNews

Ohio DOT Preparing for Another Near-Record Construction Season

This year, the Ohio Department of Transportation is investing $2.35 billion into nearly 1,000 projects that will preserve existing roads and bridges, enhance capacity, and improve safety.

“Roads and bridges don’t get better over time. That’s why 90 cents of every dollar we’re investing this year is to take care of what we have,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “We’re using better data and more frequent maintenance to address the small issues with our infrastructure before they become big issues.”

ODOT and contractors will repair or replace 5,645 miles of pavement, enough to pave a four-lane highway from Columbus to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and perform work on 1,040 bridges.

While orange barrels can be an inconvenience, they are a sign of progress and improvement. Since 2011, ODOT has invested an unprecedented $16.4 billion into 7,918 projects across the state. ODOT is responsible for maintaining 43,211 lane miles of roadway and 14,095 bridges. Ohio has the 4th largest interstate system by lane miles. Ohio’s transportation infrastructure supports the state’s 6.5 million jobs.

“Our transportation network is Ohio’s most valuable man-made asset,” said Wray. “It gives us the ability to move goods to market, get to work, take our children to school, visit an amusement park or explore the beautiful natural wonders of Ohio.”

Despite a near-record level of road work, last year saw the second lowest number of work zone crashes in a decade in Ohio. There were 4,891 work zone crashes, resulting in 119 serious injuries and 19 deaths. The vast majority of these crashes were caused by drivers following too close.

“We need drivers to pay attention every moment they are behind the wheel, but it’s even more vital in work zones. These zones often contain narrow lanes and changing traffic patterns. When driving through work zones, drivers need to leave more room between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them, slow down, pay attention, and avoid all distractions,” Wray said.

ODOT crews were struck 152 times last year. Ohio law requires that drivers move over or slow down when they see our crews working along the roadway.

Unfortunately, through the years 164 ODOT employees have lost their lives while on the job.

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RoadNews

Ohio DOT Snow-Fighting Crews Ready for This Weekend

The Ohio Department of Transportation is ready for the predicted snow this weekend with crews scheduled to begin plowing as soon as necessary.

District 8 covers over 3,800 lane miles of State Routes, U.S. Routes and Interstates in seven counties under its responsibility in southwest Ohio. There is nearly 60,000 tons of salt on hand to be used during snow and ice events in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Green, Hamilton, Preble and Warren counties. District 8 has 160 trucks and more than 300 trained drivers ready.

“Our ‘snow-fighters’ work hard to clear snow and ice, but we need the public’s help as well,” said ODOT District 8 Deputy Director Tammy Campbell. “Please give our drivers plenty of room to work. Plow trucks typically drive much slower than other traffic and can propel large amounts of heavy snow, so be extra alert when driving near them.”

For more I-75 travel info, visit  www.i75exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-75, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Michigan to Florida! Plus I-75 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-95 Exit Guide.

RoadNews

Traffic Impacts Begin for I-75 Construction in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that a change in I-75 traffic pattern begins Sunday, December 17, Findlay exits to be closed.

Dates to Note:

  • Sunday, December 17 – Traffic will be affected overnight in the southbound direction during preparations for removal of contraflow lane, all Findlay exits closed (details below).
  • Tuesday, December 19 – The entrance ramp from county Road 99 to I-75 southbound will be closed overnight (details below).
  • Wednesday, December 20 – Contraflow lane on I-75 southbound removed (details below).

The following impacts to traffic related to the reconstruction and widening of Interstate 75 through Findlay and Hancock County are occurring or scheduled to occur in the coming weeks:

Interstate 75 both northbound and southbound from south of the U.S. 68/state Route 15 interchange to county Road 313 (Lima Avenue) will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the week of December 18 for excavation work in preparation for new pavement construction.

  • The restriction will be in place from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night.
  • Two lanes in each direction on Interstate 75 will be maintained during daytime hours.

The Interstate 75 northbound lanes from the U.S. 68/state Route 15 interchange to county Road 99 have been shifted to the right onto the outside shoulder.

  • Two lanes of traffic are maintained during daytime hours. Some nighttime lane closures will continue.
  • The legal speed through the work zone is reduced when workers are present.
  • Speed limits are displayed via electronic message boards which display the legal, posted speed through the zone.

On Sunday, December 17, the far right I-75 southbound lane from just south of the U.S. 68/state Route 15 interchange to county Road 99 will be closed during preparations for the removal of the contraflow lane and to place traffic into its winter pattern.

The contraflow lane is the one lane of southbound traffic currently traveling on the northbound side of the interstate separated by barrier wall.

  • The lane closure will be in place from approximately midnight on Sunday, December 17 until 5 a.m. the following day during moving of barrier wall and placement of pavement markings.
  • All Findlay exits from the southbound direction will not be accessible during this time. All exits will be accessible from I-75 northbound.

On Tuesday, December 19 the entrance ramp from county Road 99 to I-75 southbound will be closed for storage of equipment needed in the traffic switch.

  • The ramp will close at midnight on Tuesday, December 19 and remain closed until approximately 5 a.m. the following day.
  • Traffic during this time will be detoured north on I-75 to the state Route 613 interchange back to I-75 southbound.
  • The I-75 southbound exit ramp to county Road 99 will remain open.

On Wednesday, December 20 the contraflow traffic pattern on I-75 southbound will be removed for the winter.

  • Once the contraflow lane has been removed, all I-75 southbound traffic from U.S. 224 to county Road 99 will be traveling on the southbound side of the interstate on new pavement.
  • Where possible, barrier wall will be removed for the winter or at least moved away from traffic as far as possible to accommodate snow removal.
  • The contraflow traffic pattern will remain in place through the winter from the U.S. 68/state Route 15 interchange to the south end of the project, which is generally Harrison Street.

U.S. 68/State Route 15 Interchange with Interstate 75

  • The exit ramp from I-75 northbound to U.S. 68/state Route 15 (exit 156) closed June 19 for approximately three years.
    • Traffic is detoured north to the state Route 12 interchange to Interstate 75 southbound back to U.S. 68/state Route 15.
  • The exit ramp from I-75 northbound to U.S. 68/state Route 15 remains open.

State Route 12 interchange with Interstate 75

  • All ramps at the state Route 12 interchange are currently open, with the exception of overnight closure noted above.

U.S. 224 interchange with Interstate 75

  • All ramps at the U.S. 224 interchange are currently open, with the exception of overnight closure noted above.

County Road 99

  • All ramps at the county Road 99 interchange are currently open, with the exception of overnight closure noted above.

About the Hancock I-75 project:
Interstate 75 will be reconstructed and widened beginning just south of Harrison Street/County Road 144, which is just south of the U.S. Route 68/state Route 15 interchange, to the county Road 99 interchange, Findlay, Hancock County. The project will reconstruct approximately five miles of the existing four lanes of Interstate 75, construct an additional lane of travel in each direction, replace all mainline bridges on I-75, replace the Harrison Street overpass, redesign and reconstruct the interchange between U.S. 68/state Route 15 and Interstate 75, and redesign and reconstruct the interchange with U.S. 68/state Route 15 at Lima Avenue. The project also includes the construction of noise walls at particular locations. Expected completion is May 2020.

For more I-75 travel info, visit  www.i75exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-75, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Michigan to Florida! Plus I-75 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-95 Exit Guide.

RoadNews

Ramp Closures, Detours for I-75 Construction in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports the following ramp closures, detours and other traffic restrictions associated with I-75 construction projects:

Lucas County

Interstate 75: Widening
Through October 2018, overnight, 7pm through 6am
Single lane restrictions are possible on I-75, from I-475 in Toledo to I-280 for widening and bridge work.

The ramp from southbound I-75 to southbound I-280 (Exit 208), is a right hand exit. The new Stickney Avenue/Lagrange Street exit from southbound I-75 is open. The new exit is a collector road that motorists will access from the southbound I-280 exit’s right lane about .75 miles sooner than the old exit.

The following ramps are restricted/closed:

  • Through July 2018, the ramp from Phillips Avenue to southbound I-75 is closed. Detour: northbound I-75; Stickney Avenue (Exit 207); North Expressway Drive; southbound I-75.
  • Through July 2018, the ramp from Jeep/Willys Parkway to southbound I-75 is closed. Detour: Detroit Avenue.
  • Through July 2018, the ramp from Jeep/Willys Parkway to northbound I-75 is closed. Detour: Berdan Avenue; Detroit Avenue; Phillips Avenue.
  • Through July 2018, the ramp from southbound I-75 to Jeep/Willys Parkway (Exit 205A) is closed. Detour: Detroit Avenue (Exit 203B).
  • Through September 2018, the interchange ramp from eastbound I-475 to southbound I-75 is reduced to one lane.

Project complete: September 2018. All work is weather permitting.

Interstate 75: Bridge Deck Repair
Through Thursday, December 14, nightly from 6pm to 6am
Lane restrictions are possible on I-75, between SR 25 (Exit 201B) and SR 65 (Exit 199), for bridge deck repair. All work is weather permitting.

Interstate Maintenance Work
Through December, intermittent overnight lane
restrictions are possible on I-75, I-280 and I-475 in Lucas and Wood counties for maintenance work.

Project complete: December. All work is weather permitting.

Indiana Avenue: Bridge Replacement
Through May 2019, nightly from 7pm until 6am
Lane restrictions are possible on I-75, between Dorr Street and Nebraska Avenue, for bridge replacement. Additionally at this time, the ramp from southbound I-75 to Washington Street/Downtown (Exit 202A), will be reduced to one lane for bridge replacement.

Through July 2018, Indiana Avenue, between Division Street and Washington Street, over I-75, will be reduced to one lane for bridge replacement. Local and pedestrian access will be maintained.

Project complete: June 2019. All work is weather permitting

Wood County

Interstate 75: Widening
Interstate Restrictions: Through December, single lane restrictions are possible on I- 75, between US 20 and CR 99 in Hancock County, for finish work.

Project complete: December. All work is weather permitting.

For more I-75 construction info, visit  www.i75exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-75, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Michigan to Florida! Plus I-75 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-95 Exit Guide.

 

RoadNews

Ramp Restrictions for I-75 Construction in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports the following I-75 construction closures currently in effect:

Montgomery County

  • I-75 north Ramp to US 35 west, Lane width restriction through April 1st, 2018. One lane will remain open on the ramp with a width of 11 feet.
  • I-75 north Ramp to US 35 east, Lane width restriction through April 1st, 2018. One lane will remain open on the ramp with a width of 11 feet.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming closure. All work is weather permitting. Safety is a top priority at the Ohio DOT. To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

For more I-75 construction info, visit  www.i75exitguide.com, the Internet’s largest and most complete website devoted to I-75, America’s Interstate Main Street. Detailed exit service listings… discount lodging, camping, food, gas and more for every exit from Michigan to Florida! Plus I-75 construction, real-time traffic and road news.

Traveling another route? Visit our growing family of exit guides: I-4 Exit Guide, I-5 Exit Guide,  I-10 Exit Guide , and I-95 Exit Guide.