By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Construction projects on Interstate 75 and surrounding roads have drivers tied up in knots – or stalled in traffic.
“It looks like hell out there,” Wood County Commissioner Joel Kuhlman said during a meeting with Ohio Department of Transportation officials Tuesday morning.
Every time he drives on I-75, which is being widened to three lanes in each direction, Kuhlman is amazed at the complexity of the project.
“It could be way, way worse,” he said.
The commissioners were told by ODOT officials that the widening project is on schedule, with the stretch of I-75 between Devils Hole and Oil Center roads expected to be done by the end of November.
“Essentially, we’re where we need to be,” said Brian French, engineer on the project.
But until it’s done, the disruptions to drivers will continue, with closures in the Perrysburg area expected till September, then closure of the southbound ramps for Route 582 planned after that. ODOT is trying to stagger road closures and detours.
“We certainly appreciate 75 being widened. All of your predecessors talked about it,” Commissioner Doris Herringshaw said.
“Even though we get caught in traffic jams,” Herringshaw added.
But Todd Audet, deputy director of ODOT District 2 office in Bowling Green, isn’t apologetic about the congestion caused by the construction project which came sooner than expected due to early funding. It would have been irresponsible for the district to not snap up the construction dollars when they were offered, he said.
“Funding became available and we’re doing as much as we can,” Audet said.
The entire I-75 project should be completed in two to three years.
Wood County Commissioners listen to ODOT update.
Then the increasing interstate traffic will flow more easily. Layth Istefan, highway management administrator, said I-75 is “important to our local economy. Most of our goods and services are transported on interstates.”
And once it’s complete, the snarled roadway will be a distant memory.
“I’ve got to believe five to 10 years from now, people will say, ‘Remember when this was two lanes?’” Commissioner Craig LaHote said.
ODOT officials met with the county commissioners Tuesday to update them on the $431 million in projects currently underway. Following is a list of some of those projects:
- Bridge repair on Ohio 795 over the CSX railroad, for $1.2 million. The westbound lanes will be closed this year, and the eastbound lanes next year, French said.
- S. 20 resurfacing from Lime City Road to Lemoyne Road, including the replacement of two culverts, which will close the road for 14 days next spring. Turn lanes will also be added at Oregon Road.
- S. 6 resurfacing from Henry County to Ohio 235. The route will be closed for 45 days during work on the Beaver Creek bridge. The two resurfacing projects will cost $6.7 million.
- Roundabout on Roachton Road at Ohio 199, costing $1.5 million. Route 199 will be down to one lane with a traffic light until it is completed, possibly in September.
- Interchange construction for the “divergent diamond” design on Ohio 25 at Interstate 475, for $7.6 million. Route 25 will be down to one lane in either direction. The on ramps will not close, but the off ramps will, French said. The project will start next spring.
- Resurfacing projects totaling $15.9 million, including Ohio 105 from Carter Road to Route 199; Interstate 280 from Route 795 to Navarre Avenue; Route 105 through Pemberville; Route 199 through West Millgrove; and four culvert replacements on Ohio 51 between Ohio 579 and Route 795.
- Bridge projects on Liberty Hi Road over the Middle Branch of the Portage River, Liberty Hi over the North Branch of the Portage River, Dunbridge Road over Toussaint Creek; and Lime City Road over Grassy Creek.
The replacement of the Waterville bridge is planned for 2018.
Dale Calcamuggio, administrative officer for ODOT, listed off several maintenance projects for the county, including chip seal of Route 235, countywide berm work, pavement repairs on multiple routes, drainage upgrade on Mitchell Road across from the ODOT garage, and drainage upgrade on Mermill Road at Ohio 281.
“We have a full schedule of maintenance ahead,” Calcamuggio said.
ODOT is also working to create pollinator habitats along highways, according to Kim Roessner, ODOT transportation administrator. The agency plans to use some large sections of acreage along roadsides to plant a range of native plants intended to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The proposal should also reduce mowing and pesticide costs.
Two areas are being targeted for the pollinator habitats in Wood County, including an area near Bass Pro along Route 795 and I-75, and an area near Route 6 and I-75.
“We’ll be attracting these pollinators we need,” Roessner said.
