COLUMBUS – It’s “orange barrel season” in Ohio and the Ohio Department of Transportation says almost 1$ billion worth of construction work is slated for central Ohio.
The state is spending a record $2.5 billion on more than 1,000 road projects across the state this summer, including 128 projects in and around Columbus, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said.
The $985 million in roadwork includes 31 bridge projects, 52 pavement projects, and seven major reconstruction projects.
Among the highlights: workers will begin reconfiguring the I-270/U.S. 23 interchange southern Franklin County, widening state Route 161 between I-270 and US Route 62 in northeast Franklin County and I-71 between the Franklin County Line and state Route 56 in Madison County, and expansion of the U.S. 36/SR 37 “Point” under the railroad in Delaware.
This construction season isn’t all about building new roads. About 95% of the funds set aside for roadwork is being spent on preserving existing roads and bridges, Marchbanks said.
The list of projects in central Ohio also includes expansion of the Thornwood Crossing bridge in Licking County and the I-70/state Route 29 interchange in Madison County, which includes construction of a roundabout at the eastbound ramps.
In addition to new projects starting, drivers will continue to see progress at the Interstate 70/71 split in downtown Columbus, at the I-70/270 interchange on the East Side, and at state Route 161 and Post Road in Dublin.
East of Columbus, work will continue on I-70 in Zanesville and on state Route 16 in Coshocton.
Dual roundabouts at the US Route 22/state Route 159/ Delmont Road intersection in Fairfield County are expected to open by the end of the year.