COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning to complete, begin or continue nine infrastructure projects in Knox County this year, investing more than $12 million into the county’s transportation network.
The agency released its annual statewide project list March 15. It announced that it plans to invest a record $2.5 billion into more than 1,000 projects statewide during this year’s construction season.
“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,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.
“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 construction season isn’t all about building new roads, the ODOT said in its announcement. About 95 cents of every dollar is being invested back into preserving existing roads and bridges.
“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,” ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said in a statement.
Construction will commence this year on 128 projects in the central Ohio region, representing a $985 million investment from the state. The list includes both new projects and ongoing work.
This year’s construction program includes 15 safety projects aimed directly at reducing serious or deadly crashes in central Ohio. It also includes 31 bridge projects, 52 pavement projects, and seven major reconstruction projects across the region.
Nine projects will take place in Knox County, representing a $12,114,000 investment from the state (local funding will also help make these projects possible). Here’s what’s on tap locally:
— County Road 14 (Danville Amity Road) widening. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $2.8 million. It will include the widening of County Road 14 (Danville Amity Road) to provide paved shoulders between Skyline Drive and S. Richards Street. It is scheduled to begin in July and end in November. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
— U.S. Route 36 resurfacing. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1.9 million. It will include resurfacing and related work on U.S. 36 between U.S. 62 and the Coshocton County line. It is scheduled to begin in May and end in October. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
— State Route 95 (downtown Fredericktown) streetscape. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1.5 million. It will cover many elements of the Village of Fredericktown’s downtown streetscape project, including the removal and replacement of sidewalk; installation of ADA-compliant curb and curb ramps; installation of decorative lights; replacement of two signals with addition of pedestrian facilities; and downtown street parking reconfiguration. It is scheduled to begin in April and end in May 2024. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
— Township Road 401 (Beckley Road) bridge replacement. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1.4 million. It will include replacing the bridge on Township Road 401 (Beckley Road) over the North Branch of the Kokosing River. It is scheduled to begin in May and end in October. Road closures will be required to complete this project.
— Township Road 112 (Krause Road) bridge replacement. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1.1 million. It will include replacing the bridge on Township Road 112 (Krause Road) over the North Fork Licking River in Hilliar Township. It is scheduled to begin in May and end in October. Road closures will be required to complete this project.
— State Route 229 slide repair/geologic maintenance. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1.1 million. It will include continuing the slope restoration project, aimed at repairing the ongoing erosion of the Kokosing River bank located along State Route 229, approximately 0.38 miles east of County Road 54 (Big Run Road). It began in October 2022 and is scheduled to last until June 2024. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
— State Route 3 guardrail upgrades. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $1 million. It will include guardrail upgrades and replacements along State Route 3, from Mount Vernon’s city limits to the county line. It is scheduled to begin this July and end next July. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
— Township Road 402 (Coffing Road) bridge replacement. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $700,000. It will include replacing the bridge on Township Road 402 (Coffing Road) over Granny Creek. It is scheduled to begin in April and end in October. Road closures will be required to complete this project.
— County Road 53 (Lock Road) resurfacing. This project will cost ODOT an estimated $614,000. It will include milling and filling County Road 53 (Lock Road), including berms and pavement markings from Croton Road to the Knox County line, where it overlaps with Homer Road and will end at Dutch Cross Road. It is scheduled to begin in May and end in October. Lane restrictions will be required to complete the project.
Other notable new ODOT construction projects in central Ohio this year will include:
— Expansion of the U.S. 36/SR 37 “Point” under the railroad in Delaware
— SR 161 widening between I-270 and U.S. 62 in northeast Franklin County
— Thornwood Crossing bridge expansion in Licking County
— I-270/U.S. 23 interchange reconfiguration in southern Franklin County
— Expansion of the I-70/SR 29 interchange in Madison County including construction of a roundabout at the eastbound ramps
— SR 209 bridge replacement south of U.S. 22/40 in Guernsey County
— I-71 widening between the Franklin County Line and SR 56 in Madison County
In addition to new projects starting, drivers will continue to see progress at the Interstate 70/71 split in downtown Columbus, at the I-70/270 interchange on the East Side, and at SR 161 and Post Rd. in Dublin, the ODOT said in its announcement.
East of Columbus, work will continue on I-70 in Zanesville and on SR 16 in Coshocton. Dual roundabouts at the U.S. 22/SR 159/ Delmont Rd. intersection in Fairfield County are expected to open by the end of the year.
An increase in work zones means it’s even more important for motorists to pay extra attention behind the wheel, the ODOT said in its announcement.
There were 4,628 work zone-related crashes in Ohio last year, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Twenty-one were deadly, resulting in 23 deaths, and 85 involved serious injuries.
Summit County recorded the most in the state with 814 work zone crashes, the ODOT stated. June was the top month for work zone crashes (585) with Wednesday being the top day (833). Most crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and 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,” Marchbanks said in a statement.
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.
Click here to see the full list of ODOT projects scheduled for 2023 in District 5 — which includes Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Coshocton, Muskingum, Perry, and Guernsey Counties.
Click here to see the full list of ODOT projects scheduled for 2023 in District 6 — which includes Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union Counties.
