COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Transportation is launching a record-$3.2 billion construction season. This includes 955 projects, 38 of them considered "major" with a value above $10 million, across the state.

"We know that drivers see ODOT's orange barrels and cones as an inconvenience, but they are also a signal of progress and improvement," said Governor DeWine. "This year's transportation projects will continue to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace, improving the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit Ohio."

This year's construction season will improve 5,538 miles of pavement, enough to pave a two-lane road from New York City to San Diego, and 844 bridges.

As always, safety continues to be the lead focus for ODOT with 171 projects directly focused on improving safety. Ohio boasts one of the largest safety programs, per capita, of any state in the United States.

"This year we will see a very significant investment in our transportation infrastructure-one that will improve safety, reduce traffic fatalities, and keep people and goods moving efficiently," said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. "Every project we break ground on is a step toward a stronger, safer, and more connected future for Ohio."

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Northwest Ohio

• U.S. 24 and County Road 17D in Henry County
• U.S. 24 and Independence Road in Defiance County
• I-75, SR 117, and SR 309 Resurfacing in Allen County

Northeast Ohio

• I-480 to I-77 ramp bridges in Cuyahoga County
• I-90 Major Rehabilitation in Lorain County
• I-77 widening between Everett Rd. & Ghent Rd. and I-77 widening between Everett Rd. and SR 21 in Summit County

Central Ohio

• I-70 Far East Freeway in Franklin County
• U.S. 33/Pickerington Road Interchange in Fairfield County

Southwest Ohio

• I-75 Mill Creek Expressway in Hamilton County
• I-75 Reconstruction Project in Montgomery County

Southeast Ohio

• Chesapeake Bypass in Lawrence County
• US 3.3. Four Lane Project in Athens/Meigs County

WORK ZONE SAFETY
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,000 work zone crashes in Ohio last year and 35% of these crashes occurred with workers present. Sadly, 22 people were killed in 21 deadly work zone crashes. Another 123 were seriously injured in 97 work zone crashes.

Speeding and following too closely continue to be the top factors in work zone crashes. Troopers wrote 8,396 citations for speeding in work zones with 29% for speeds more than 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.

Last summer, ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol teamed up for Operation Cone Zone, an increased enforcement effort in work zones. This initiative resulted in lower numbers of crashes and fatalities compared to 2023.

ODOT also launched a new safety campaign, Not Just A Roadside Worker, to remind drivers about the importance of Ohio's Move Over Law. ODOT employees, vehicles, and equipment were struck 84 times last year.

National Work Zone Awareness Week, an annual event to remind motorists to be extra alert in work zones, will be observed April 21-25. It will be hosted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Work zone safety is not just about making sure roadway workers make it home safe at the end of the day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 742 drivers and their passengers died in work zone-related crashes in 2022 - the latest year available. There were 94 highway workers killed that same year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.