Summer is the busiest of seasons for the Ohio Department of Transportation with an array of highway projects slated for completion.
District Two, which encompasses the northwest Ohio counties of Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Williams is no different.
Pat McColley, ODOT District Two deputy director, gave an overview of projects on tap this year to members of the Waterville Chamber of Commerce at the organization’s June 20 meeting.
Among the largest is the widening to three lanes of I475 from the U.S. Route 24 interchange in Maumee to Airport Highway/Route 2 exit in Springfield Township.
When complete at the end of 2024, the highway will be three lanes in each direction from Central Avenue to the Maumee River, explained Mr. McColley.
The $186 million widening taking place this year and next will include the installation of an interchange at Route 20A.
Throughout the summer and into the fall, crews will work on widening the northbound portion of I-475 and next year, work will begin on the southbound lanes.
The Route 20A interchange will resemble the State Route 25 exit at Perrysburg with construction of a divergent diamond.
“The divergent diamond is 20 to 25 percent more efficient [at moving traffic] and in general is safer, eliminating wrong way drivers on interstates,” Mr. McColley said.
The deputy director commended the Monclova Township trustees for their commitment to the new interchange. “Monclova did a great job holding the reins until funding became available,” he said, adding they provided $2.2 million.
The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments was the largest contributor at $4 million.
Mr. McColley acknowledged there have been issues with the I-475 temporary lane configuration from the Maumee bridge west to Route 24 with an increase in crashes.
He said ODOT has made some changes to that section, but admits they are limited on space due to the proximity of the bridge to the Route 24 exit.
Mr. McColley believes it will be a better lane configuration next year when contractors begin work on the southbound lanes.
With traffic narrowing from the opposite direction, the bridge will not be an issue, he explained.
When asked if there are plans to widen to three lanes the highway from the I-475 bridge west to the Route 25 Perrysburg exit, Mr. McColley said it is in the studying stage and likely eight to 10 years away from construction.
He pointed out that the most expensive portion will be widening the bridge, adding it also will be a challenge to determine how to maintain two lanes in each direction over the Maumee River.
The deputy director also updated chamber members on other area projects, including I-75 from the turnpike north to the Miami Street/exit 198. “It will open in August.”
Mr. McColley was asked about ODOT’s input on construction on Conant Street in Maumee, which is a state route.
Even though it is a state route because it is in a city, it becomes “the City of Maumee’s responsibility.”
He closed by discussing a few other projects on tap for the future. Among those are two additional divergent diamonds, one of which will be constructed at the Airport Highway/Route 2 exit of I475.
The other will be installed at the I-75/U.S. Route 20 exit in Perrysburg.
For fans of the Burger King restaurant just off the exit, Mr. McColley said they likely will need to search for another place to buy their Whoppers. “Burger King is unlikely to survive this project.”
Mr. McColley concluded by urging chamber members to drive carefully in construction zones throughout the summer and to avoid driving distracted.
~Jane Maiolo
