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Ohio Department of Transportation

04/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/05/2025 11:01

ODOT kicks off record construction season

Local event held at U.S. 24 and County Road 17D, Henry County, interchange project

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - (Friday, April 4, 2025) 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."

In northwest Ohio, a kickoff event was held today in the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 24 and County Road 17D, just north of Okolona in Henry County, where construction of a new interchange will begin this spring.

Serious injury and fatal crashes have occurred at the intersection, which is currently an at-grade intersection meaning both roadways meet at the same level or grade.

"Being from Henry County, I understand the significance of today," said Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon. "Funding for a new interchange is difficult to secure unless there is demonstrated need which certainly exists here. Injury and fatal crashes will be significantly reduced with the construction of this interchange," he said.

Since 2011, 23 injury crashes have occurred at the intersection, with four fatalities.

The interchange is the central project of an overall safety improvement of the U.S. 24 corridor in Defiance and Henry counties. In addition to the new interchange at County Road 17D, an overpass to carry Independence Road over U.S. 24 in Defiance County will also be constructed this season.

Related projects that will eliminate or change access to U.S. 24 at local roads in Defiance and Henry County will occur once the interchange and overpass are complete (see project website).

"I am very pleased that ODOT is moving ahead on this project," said Representative Jim Hoops, R-Napoleon. "I can remember being a member of the Fort to Port group when we fought to turn U.S. Route 24 from a two-lane highway into a four-lane highway because of safety. This interchange is another step forward in making this highway even safer," he said.

The expansion of U.S. 24 in the 2000s provided a significant safety improvement. "With traffic increasing steadily on U.S. 24, removing at-grade intersections and changing access to U.S. 24 from local roads is the next, needed upgrade in safety," said Pat McColley, ODOT District 2 deputy director.

Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director said the coordination among public entities has been remarkable. "We worked closely with officials in both Defiance and Henry counties to devise our plan to improve safety along the U.S. 24 corridor. We appreciate the patience and understanding the communities in both counties have shown through the process," he said.

E.S. Wagner Company, Oregon, is the apparent low bidder at $12.3 million for the contract to construct the interchange at County Road 17D. The company has already secured the contract to construct the overpass at Independence Road for $5.3 million.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
Northwest Ohio

393 projects representing an investment of $571 million will be undertaken this construction season in northwest Ohio. Featured projects:

ODOT's construction guides provide information regarding all projects occurring throughout the state this season.

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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.