ODOT construction season bringing projects, traffic impacts
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STEUBENVILLE -- The Ohio Department of Transportation's record $3.2 billion construction season will bring around two dozen projects to local counties, along with traffic impacts that motorists should be mindful of this summer.
This upcoming season, ODOT will be undertaking 955 different projects statewide, 38 of which are considered major with a value above $10 million, according to a release from the agency. That amounts to 5,538 miles of pavement being improved -- equivalent to a two-lane road from New York City to San Diego -- and 844 bridges.
"We know that drivers see ODOT's orange barrels and cones as an inconvenience, but they are also a signal of progress and improvement," stated Gov. Mike DeWine. "This year's transportation projects will continue to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace, improving the quality of life for those who live, work and visit Ohio."
"This year we will see a very significant investment in our transportation infrastructure -- one that will improve safety, reduce traffic fatalities and keep people and goods moving efficiently," said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. "Every project we break ground on is a step toward a stronger, safer and more connected future for Ohio."
Among those nearly 1,000 safety and transportation improvement projects statewide are 93 new construction projects in ODOT's Eastern Ohio region, with a total price tag of $168 million. The investment includes 34 safety improvements, and district-wide projects, 30 bridge projects, 22 pavement projects and seven slide repair projects.
ODOT Eastern Ohio District 11 encompasses Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties. The district, which is based in New Philadelphia, maintains more than 3,383 lane miles of interstate, federal and state highways, as well as nearly 1,000 bridges throughout the seven counties.
Fourteen projects are planned in Jefferson County for a total of $26.5 million, according to Lauren Borell, District 11 public information officer. Harrison County will see 10 projects for a total of $18 million, while Carroll County will see three for a total of $2.1 million.
"It's another busy construction year for Eastern Ohio," Borell said. "It's an exciting time for us to see more projects ramp up, and we continue to maintain what we have."
In Harrison County, ODOT will resurface 13 miles of U.S. Route 250 from the Tappan Lake dam to U.S. Route 22, excluding concrete sections of the road. At about $6.42 million, the project will see night-time work from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with traffic maintained at all times. Scheduled to begin April 1, the project is estimated to conclude Oct. 31.
Jefferson County's projects include resurfacing work in the south of the county for about $5.24 million.
Slated for resurfacing are 13 miles of state Route 150 from Mount Pleasant to state Route 7, including a short section of state Route 647 in Mount Pleasant, and five miles of state Route 152 from Smithfield to state Route 150. Flaggers will maintain traffic in those areas, with a minimum of one traffic lane maintained at one time. The project is estimated to begin May 1 and conclude Oct. 31.
ODOT has already begun repairing the state Route 7 bridge over Goose Run Road, Goose Run and the Norfolk Southern railroad, located south of state Route 213 near the former W.H. Sammis Plant. At about $4.32 million, the project includes lane restrictions and will see Goose Run Road's traffic detoured for 45 days. The project is estimated to conclude Oct. 31.
In Steubenville, ODOT will resurface state Route 43 from Welday Avenue to the Wintersville corporation limit. A minimum of one traffic lane will be maintained at all times. The $1.69 million project is estimated to begin May 1 and conclude Sept. 30.
Safety is a lead focus for ODOT, according to its release, which notes the agency's 171 projects directly focused on safety improvements. Reportedly, ODOT has one of the largest safety programs per capita of any state in the U.S.
Two safety projects are scheduled in Jefferson County, including the addition of turning lanes at the intersection of state Route 43 and county Road 43, locally known as Ross Ridge Road. The roughly $1.09 million project will see a minimum of one traffic lane maintained at all times, with county Road 43 requiring a three-day detour. The project is estimated to begin June 1 and conclude June 3, 2026.
Additionally, ODOT will widen the curve at the intersection of state Route 150 and Market Street in Mount Pleasant to increase the turning radius. The $528,000 project includes full-depth pavement, sidewalk, drainage, signage and pavement marking replacement. Scheduled from July 1 until Sept. 30, the project will see southbound traffic on state Route 150, detoured with local access maintained at all times.
Motorists can look forward to the state Route 7 rockfall remediation project's conclusion, which is set for July.
The two-year, $23.04 million project near Mingo Junction is no longer utilizing blasting, Borell said. Throughout the coming months, crews will be performing drainage and culvert work before restoring the roadway to four lanes.
Projects in Carroll County are being led by local entities with ODOT oversight, Borell said. The three projects are a county Road 14 bridge replacement, Magnolia sidewalks and pedestrian facilities replacement and Atwood Lake Park resurfacing along Beach Road.
Other notable projects in District 11 include the Blaine Hill bridge rehabilitation project east of St. Clairsville, Interstate 70 concrete pavement repairs near St. Clairsville, state Route 7 rehabilitation with the removal and replacement of pavement through Bellaire and general resurfacing from Powhatan Point to Dilles Bottom, state Route 515 major rehabilitation from Walnut Creek to U.S. Route 62 and U.S. Route 250 concrete rehabilitation at the McCauley Drive intersection in Uhrichsville, ODOT announced.
A full list of projects is available on ODOT's website, www.transportation.ohio.gov, by navigating to the 2025 Construction Guide.
Individuals can sign up for news, traffic advisories and other announcements by inputting their email or mobile phone number, and they can monitor real-time traffic conditions at OHGO.com.
"Talking about construction, what matters most is the folks working in those construction areas," Borell said, "and it's very important for the public to be aware of current and upcoming construction so they can be aware and look out for people who are working out there to make the roads safer for everyone."
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 4,000 work zone crashes in the state last year, with 22 people killed in 21 deadly crashes. Another 123 people suffered injuries in 97 work zone crashes. Speeding and following too closely remain the top factors in work zone crashes, leading troopers to issue 8,396 citations for speeding in work zones.
ODOT's new safety campaign, "Not Just a Roadside Worker," raises awareness of Ohio's Move Over Law.
"Not only is it construction season for our capital projects, but it is maintenance season," Borell said. "We've moved from snow and ice, to now our drivers are out there doing essential roadside maintenance work. It's important that folks watch out for them as well. These folks have families to get home to, so motorists should watch out for our drivers, move over and slow down."