Roundabout construction, other local projects on tap

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

Construction of a roundabout at U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway in Van Wert is expected to begin in early June. It’s one of several projects planned this spring and summer by the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 Office.

The estimated start date for roundabout construction at the intersection just west of the Van Wert city limits is June 4. Lincoln Highway will be detoured approximately 60 days, while U.S. 30 traffic will maintain one lane in each direction.

In addition, crews will rehabilitate the U.S. 224 bridge over the railroad between U.S. 30 and Lincoln Highway, including replacing the deck, abutments and painting the bridge over the railroad. Construction of a restricted crossing U-turn at the intersection of U.S. 30 and John Brown Road will occur as well. John Brown Rd at U.S. 30 will close approximately 45 days. All of the work should be complete by the end of October and the entire project is expected to cost $7.1 million.

Four other ODOT projects are planned for Van Wert and Van Wert County, including one that is scheduled to begin next week. On Monday, crews will begin to construct a new shared-use path and sidewalk, including curb ramps and crosswalks along Fox Rd. between Shannon St. and Washington St., and on U.S. 127 (Washington Street) between OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital and the city’s water plant. Work is expected to run through mid-August. According to the ODOT District 1 Office, the estimated cost of that project is $343,000.

Two projects are slated to begin on May 1. Workers will resurface Ohio 117 between Venedocia St. Marys Rd. and Biner Rd. (between the Allen County line and the Mercer County line), including the Ohio 116 overlap, and Ohio 697 between the city of Delphos and Ohio 116 with asphalt concrete via full-width paving method. Ohio 697 will be detoured for approximately 45 days. Ohio 117 will be detoured approximately for 15 days, and Ohio 116 will be detoured for approximately 15 days. Access to all properties will be maintained. The project is expected to cost approximately $2 million.

In addition, workers will resurface U.S. 127 between the village of Paulding and U.S. 224 in Van Wert and Paulding counties, and resurface Ohio 66 (Jefferson Avenue) between 2nd St. and the Auglaize River (near Horace Street) in the city of Defiance. Traffic will be maintained and the project will cost approximately $4 million.

The final local ODOT project involving construction of a new traffic signal at the intersections of Bonnewitz Avenue and U.S. 127 in the city of Van Wert. Work is scheduled to begin in late June and traffic will be maintained.

Those projects and others are included in ODOT’s record-breaking $3.4 billion construction season statewide. The 2026 construction season includes a total of 977 projects. 739 bridges and approximately 4,562 miles of roadway, equivalent to driving from Columbus to San Diego, California, and back, are set to be improved.