Northwest Ohio ODOT projects to cost $170 million
4/10/2013The Ohio Department of Transportation's 70 projects in eight northwest Ohio counties this year will cost a combined $170 million, a department official said today during a news conference to formally announce ODOT's program for 2013.
But the schedule for the biggest new project, an overhaul of the Anthony Wayne Bridge that will close the structure to all traffic for 19 months, remains to be announced pending the award of a construction contract and meetings with the winning bidder.
ODOT plans to replace two approach spans on the Anthony Wayne, also known as the High Level Bridge, that are particularly vulnerable to collapse if they were to sustain a structural failure, as well as rehabilitate the rest of the 80-year-old bridge. It is the last suspension bridge on the state highway system, carrying State Rts. 2, 51, and 65 over the Maumee River near downtown Toledo.
The $28.7 million overhaul is scheduled for completion in 2015. The E.S. Wagner Co., of Oregon, submitted the lowest of six bids ODOT opened last week, but state officials still must review the bidding before awarding the contract.
Other projects on this year's list include overhauling and widening the I-475/U.S. 23 bridges over the Ohio Turnpike, repaving I-280 between Lemoyne Road and Navarre Avenue, finishing the I-475 reconstruction between I-75 and Rushland Avenue, and ramp improvements at three I-475 interchanges.
The latter group of projects, while small, are expected to provide significant benefits for safety and congestion relief. ODOT plans to widen the Corey Road exit from eastbound I-475, lengthen the Talmadge Road exit lane from the freeway's westbound side, and add a right-turn lane on northbound State Rt. 25 to the southbound I-475/U.S. 23 entrance in Perrysburg.
Work on the Perrysburg turn lane is expected to start in about a month, while the other projects will begin later in the season and will include new turn lanes on Corey and Whiteford roads at Sylvania Avenue, too.