ODOT lists road projects for holidays

ODOT information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) knows the coming holidays will be a busy time for the state’s roads and highways. The department expects holiday traffic to be at its peak the Saturday before Christmas, when Ohio’s rural highway traffic volumes historically increase by 41 percent over the typical monthly average.

While work is suspended in many of the state’s construction zones during this time, lane restrictions or detours may still affect your holiday commute.

Where possible, ODOT opens additional lanes of traffic and requires contractors to maintain at least two lanes of traffic in each direction on Ohio’s interstates.

To aid motorists, ODOT is providing this comprehensive list of major construction projects around the state. More information can be found at ODOT’s premier traffic and weather site,www.buckeyetraffic.org

CENTRAL OHIO

Interstate 270, Franklin County

Major reconstruction is underway on the southwest side of Franklin County. Three lanes will be maintained in each direction between Roberts Road and Broad Street. One of the three southbound lanes will be a contraflow lane.

For the I-270 project, the contraflow lane begins just south of Roberts Road and means the left lane of southbound traffic will cross over to the northbound side of the road. A portable barrier wall will separate the southbound contraflow lane and the three northbound lanes.

Motorists travelling southbound who wish to exit at I-70 or Broad Street should stay in the right two lanes of I-270 south. The contraflow lane can be used as an express lane for those who do not wish to exit at I-70 or Broad Street.

Two lanes will be maintained in each direction between Broad Street and U.S. 62. All ramps will remain open.

The speed limit through the work zone will be reduced to 55 mph so drivers should allow for extra time for their trip and remain alert since this is a seven-mile construction zone.

Interstates 670/71, Franklin County

Major construction is underway on Interstates 670 and 71 just north of downtown Columbus. Two lanes maintained on I-670/71.The speed limit have been reduced to 45 mph through the zone. A number of exits to downtown are closed but you can still access I-670/71. Detours are less than three miles and detour and re-routes are signed both on the interstates and city streets. Visit www.odot71670.org for more information.

WESTERN OHIO

Interstate 75, West Carrollton, Montgomery County

I-75 in the area of the East Central Avenue and Dixie Drive Interchange is under renovation.  Motorists will encounter a construction zone in both directions on I-75. Three lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

Interstate 70, Clark County

I-70 between Ohio 72 and U.S. 40 is undergoing a lane addition.  Motorists will encounter construction zones in both directions on I-70. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

Interstate 75, Dayton, Montgomery County

I-75 from Main Street to Stanley Avenue and from Edwin C. Moses Boulevard to Fifth Street has construction zones due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during holiday travel.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO

Interstate 90, Lake County

Traffic on I-90 between Paine Road and the Ashtabula County line is shifted utilizing temporary crossovers.  One lane of I-90 eastbound traffic will be using I-90 westbound.

State Route 2, Lake County

Several projects along SR 2 are currently underway. Ohio 2 between Newell Street and the Grand River is restricted to one lane in each direction.

Interstate 90, Cuyahoga County

The I-90 Innerbelt Bridge through downtown Cleveland remains open; however, multiple ramps along the downtown corridor are closed or restricted as crews work to construct a new westbound I-90 Innerbelt Bridge. Visit www.Innerbelt.org for more information.

NORTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 475, Lucas County

Expect lane restrictions in both directions on I-475, from I-75 to Monroe Street for reconstruction.  Various ramps are closed within the project. Detours are posted.

U.S. Route 24, Lucas and Henry counties

U.S. Route 24, from I-475 to Dutch Road is reduced to one lane in each direction. Various roads are closed in Lucas and Henry counties along the new alignment. Detours are posted.

SOUTHERN OHIO

U.S. Route 52, Scioto County

U.S. 52 is reduced to one lane in each direction from Portsmouth/New Boston to Ohio 522 at Wheelersburg, as well as between the Ohio 253/Greenup Dam exit and the Lawrence County line for a series of four-lane resurfacing projects. Traffic is being maintained in a minimum of one, 11-foot lane in each direction.

SOUTHWESTERN OHIO

Interstate 74, Hamilton County

Replace and widen I-74 structure over Ohio 128.  While three lanes of traffic are open in each direction, two lanes of westbound I-74 are switched to the eastbound side of the work zone with one lane remaining on the westbound shoulder. While the permanent work zone restrictions remain in place, work is suspended over the holiday and there will be no additional lane closures.