The Ohio Department of Transportation announced  a record-breaking $3.4 billion construction season, with 977 new projects planned statewide.
This year’s construction will include improvements to 739 bridges and approximately 4,562 miles of roadway. Thirty-six major projects will each have a value over $10 million, and eighty percent of the investment will go toward preserving existing roads and bridges. The department also plans to start 174 safety projects this season.
Governor Mike DeWine said, “As a state that makes and moves things, we must have a safe transportation system that is well maintained. As they do each year, our ODOT teams will be making enhancements to Ohio’s roadways to better protect everyone traveling on them.”
Since the beginning of the DeWine Administration in 2019, ODOT has invested $15.5 billion into 6,067 projects across the state. Pamela Boratyn, Director of ODOT, said, “This record-setting construction season is a testament to ODOT’s focus on building a more resilient transportation system and saving lives. This investment positions Ohio as the heart of the nation’s supply chain and continues to fuel the state’s economic engine.”
Project highlights include resurfacing Interstate 75 in Allen and Hancock counties; replacing pavement and five bridges on I-90 in Cuyahoga County; rehabilitation work on State Route 16 in Licking County; bridge repairs in Hamilton County; expansion of US 33 between Athens and the Ohio River; and several other significant undertakings across all regions.
Work zone safety remains a concern after there were 4,435 work zone crashes last year in Ohio. Of these crashes, thirty-four percent occurred with workers present. Twenty-one people died in seventeen deadly work zone crashes while another ninety-six resulted in serious injuries. Speeding and following too closely are cited as top factors for these incidents according to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Further details about this year’s projects can be found on the official roster page.
