Ohio

[carbaugh2]

TRAC put out its draft list on Wednesday. Included are links to the news release, application list (reposted for convenience), and draft list. Public comments will be received through April 16th.

Release: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about-us/news/statewide/trac-draft-list-2025
Applications: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/programs/trac/home/2024-apps
Draft Approved List: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/cea96fdd-ea44-4ead-badb-4860af58adc9/DRAFT+2025-2028_MN_CONSTRUCTION_PROGRAM_LIST_WEBPAGE.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_JQGCH4S04P41206HNUKVF31000-cea96fdd-ea44-4ead-badb-4860af58adc9-pnjj.7h

[carbaugh2]

And the transportation budget bill has been signed by Governor DeWine. According to the release, nothing received a line-item veto.

https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/governor-dewine-signs-11-billion-transportation-budget

[PColumbus73]

OH 159 / Bridge Street is about to get some work in Chillicothe:

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/113013

Map:

https://publicinput.com/Customer/File/Full/363347bc-3c0e-49f2-b43e-3b5a65df30e6

Being from there, one thing I don't agree with is the new left turn lanes on Bridge Street to Stewart Road. There's always a lot of traffic going into the Walmart, whether it be from US 35 or from town. So, I feel like having Stewart Road as a RIRO would have been the better choice.

The work on Bridge Street doesn't include anything to extend the deceleration lane from US 35 Eastbound onto Bridge St, but considering that would have required bridge work, I understand why that wouldn't be possible. I mention that since there is this sign.

I like the realigning lanes on southbound Bridge St so the left lane doesn't default to a left turn onto US 35 East. The right lane defaulting onto US 35 West would be good since a lot of locals use 35 to get to High St / OH 104. Adding the additional northbound lane would be good, too. If you're familiar with the area, Bridge Street is always busy.

Since they're adding a connection between Marietta Road and N Plaza Blvd, I probably would have made N Plaza Blvd a right only onto Bridge Street.


One thing I have thought about loosely was building a connector between the Walmart shopping center and either Marietta Road or along the river to Charleston Pike. That might help since now Bridge Street is the only way you can get to those shopping centers between the river and US 35.

[seicer]

I see they are extending sidewalks along the road, but it appears there will be no driveway cuts for businesses like Valvoline. Or is this map simplified? It's hard to tell as it appears there will be a new RIRO on the south side to access the strip mall with the Kroger. At any rate, this road is a planning disaster - more specifically, a lack of planning contributed to the haphazard development plots, a lack of pedestrian infrastructure, and uncontrolled access. This only partly resolves the issue.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/118055

Safety improvements coming to the I-75/US 33 interchange. Under the current preferred alternative, the project will install a single-lane roundabout at the northbound I-75 to US 33 ramp intersection.

Also, the latest round of projects funded under the TRAC has been approved.

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/a6403021-7766-4ccc-8ab3-f39f2beba929/04-23-25+-+PROJECT+LIST+-+TRAC+Final+List.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_K9I401S01H7F40QBNJU3SO1F56-a6403021-7766-4ccc-8ab3-f39f2beba929-ppzFjOG

[carbaugh2]

The latest TRAC list has been approved and released. At least 2 of the projects in Tier 1 for this year- the US 24 interchange and 71/270 northside interchange improvements- have already been awarded.

While the press release has a list of this year's construction highlights, I prefer to look at the multi-tier list to see what major projects are in the pipeline for future inclusion in Tier 1. Speaking of Tier 2 projects, I am both hopeful and fearful that the widenings of Ohio 161 and I-70 in Licking County happen soon- hopeful because they are much needed, and fearful that they will take place at the same time.

News Release: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about-us/news/statewide/trac-final-list-2025

Signed Multi-Tier List: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/transportation.ohio.gov/trac/FINAL_2025-2028_MN_CONSTRUCTION_PROGRAM_LIST_SIGNED.pdf

[doglover44]

Anyone know what's going on I-70 between New Carlisle and Huber Heights ?

[Buck87]

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/118055

Safety improvements coming to the I-75/US 33 interchange. Under the current preferred alternative, the project will install a single-lane roundabout at the northbound I-75 to US 33 ramp intersection.

So that removes a small section of 4 lane US 33 through the interchange by shifting the end of the expressway from just east of 75 to somewhere a little bit west of 75.

That plus putting a roundabout in the middle of a former carriageway suggests there are no long term plans to complete the 4 lane gap on 33 between Wapak and Huntsville

[TempoNick]

Having driven that way to and from Fort Wayne on numerous occasions, I don't think it's necessary. The same thing can be achieved by connecting Huntsville to US 30 into Lima, Fort Wayne, South Bend and on to Chicago.

That 10 or 20 mile jog to the West I-75 takes makes any further upgrades to US 33 pointless going eastbound and it seems like most of the traffic would flow toward Columbus.

I guess a four-lane highway might make sense if you're going from Cincinnati or Dayton into Fort Wayne and beyond, but they seem to take US 27. I think that would be the only reason to finish US 33 between Indian Lake and I-75. That is if US 33 is necessary to Route traffic into Fort Wayne.

The other thing is that US 33 takes you to the south side of Fort Wayne which, if you're going to Fort Wayne, I don't know that there's anything to see there or if it is the best approach. It seems like US 30 coming from the East is the better way, but I could be wrong.

[vtk]

If by some chance ambition to close the gap between Wapakoneta and Huntsville were to reappear, the changes proposed at the I-75 interchange don't significantly increase the difficulty of eventually achieving that goal.

I've made the trip between Columbus and Fort Wayne many times, for work and for family. To facilitate such trips, I would favor a new-alignment expressway from US 33 near New Hampshire to US 30 west of Lima, as I outlined on the Fictional board years ago. So I'm not too broken up about this apparent downgrade.

[TempoNick]

If by some chance ambition to close the gap between Wapakoneta and Huntsville were to reappear, the changes proposed at the I-75 interchange don't significantly increase the difficulty of eventually achieving that goal.

I've made the trip between Columbus and Fort Wayne many times, for work and for family. To facilitate such trips, I would favor a new-alignment expressway from US 33 near New Hampshire to US 30 west of Lima, as I outlined on the Fictional board years ago. So I'm not too broken up about this apparent downgrade.

OH 117 to I-75 to Bluelick Road and then OH 115 is what I used to take. If that set of roads could be cleaned up, I also think this is the best way to get to Fort Wayne.

It also seems to me that another alternative might be to upgrade US 68 into Findlay. That jog to the West I-75 takes makes it a little inconvenient if you're trying to get to Urbana and Springfield.

[I-55]

Having driven that way to and from Fort Wayne on numerous occasions, I don't think it's necessary. The same thing can be achieved by connecting Huntsville to US 30 into Lima, Fort Wayne, South Bend and on to Chicago.

That 10 or 20 mile jog to the West I-75 takes makes any further upgrades to US 33 pointless going eastbound and it seems like most of the traffic would flow toward Columbus.

I guess a four-lane highway might make sense if you're going from Cincinnati or Dayton into Fort Wayne and beyond, but they seem to take US 27. I think that would be the only reason to finish US 33 between Indian Lake and I-75. That is if US 33 is necessary to Route traffic into Fort Wayne.

The other thing is that US 33 takes you to the south side of Fort Wayne which, if you're going to Fort Wayne, I don't know that there's anything to see there or if it is the best approach. It seems like US 30 coming from the East is the better way, but I could be wrong.

Two points: Fort Wayne specifically followed by national implications

Fort Wayne:

Speaking as a lifelong Fort Wayne resident here. For explanatory purposes I'm dividing Fort Wayne into Southwest (Aboite Twp.), South, and everyone else.

I agree with your assessment that a route following OH-117 would be more beneficial for Columbus-Fort Wayne traffic if a four lane corridor is built. From experience though I can say that following US 33 through Wapakoneta is the better route by time and experience (due to the free flow nature of most of the route).

No one drives from Fort Wayne to Dayton or Cincinnati via US-27. The most common route for south/southwest is to take US-33 to I-75. Everyone else uses US-30/US-127/US-33. For Cincinnati specifically, depending on where you're going in the Cincy metro it may be comparable to take I-69 south and cut over on SR 3 or SR 9 to I-74 if you live on the southwest side of town.


National Implications: Major travel pattern changes

US-30 is the fastest route for all Dayton-Columbus traffic for everything north/east of Valparaiso (opposed to I-65), and is the fastest route for all Cincinnati traffic north/east of Warsaw (opposed to US-31). 30 will continue to be the fastest route as upgrades commence on the US-30 corridor, and any upgrades in Ohio to the 33 corridor could convince more people to bypass Indianapolis (65-70 through Indy is 8 min quicker between downtown Columbus and the I-65/I-80/94 interchange east of Chicago. The Fort Wayne route is also 30 miles shorter).

If a four lane connection were completed, US-30 and US-33 would make up the fastest free alternate to the PA/OH Turnpikes and IN Toll Road between DC and Chicago.

Also, when US-33 is four laned between Athens and I-77, this would also become the fastest route overall between Chicago and NC/SC/VA.

[TempoNick]

I don't have a preference as to how a route between Columbus and Fort Wayne gets four-laned, just that one does. That said, here are some of my random thoughts:

1.   By my calculation, 60 miles of two-lane road on US-33 would have to be four-laned to have a direct route to Fort Wayne versus significantly less mileage cutting over to US-30 (I think 30 or so miles). Not saying it will never happen, just that 30 or so miles seems to be more likely to be built than 60.

2.   OH 117 to US-33 would do a better job feeding traffic to Columbus from the north and east because of the way I-75 swings to the west to give Lima interstate access. This basically eliminates anybody north of Findlay from using it to go eastbound and might make it an inefficient use of infrastructure money.

3.   OH 117 to US-33 would provide alternate routes to different parts of Columbus. A four-lane connection using US-23 could hit the north and east sides of the Columbus metro, while US-33 would hit the north and west sides of the Columbus metro.

4.   I don't know what the traffic patterns are between Fort Wayne and Cincinnati-Dayton and it also might depend on what part of town you come from, but I do know that from western Cincinnati a handful of people I know use US 27. Maybe from other parts of Cincinnati you would have different paths.

5.   From the looks of the map, Dayton to Fort Wayne might make sense using US-33, but Cincinnati swings too far to the west. It seems like you would waste too much time backtracking using US-33 from Cincinnati.

6.   If these roads are ever built to Interstate standards, they are worthy of an Interstate shield just because of where they go to and the connections they make. The Interstate shield automatically tells you that you will be using a high quality highway. The US shield is a mixed bag.

[vtk]

Maggie,

Thank you for your comments.

At this time, we do not have any long range plan to widen the referenced segment of US 33 [between I-75 and the Indian Lake area]. Traffic volumes remain consistently low in this section, ranging from 5,400 to 6,800 vehicles per day, and the land usage and known future development within this segment does not provide any reason to believe that the volumes would increase to a point of needing additional capacity or improvements. Widening would also require a large amount of additional property takes, as the R/W width is approximately 60 feet for the majority of this segment. Therefore, such a project would be a costly endeavor.

We appreciate your support for the proposed safety improvements on this project.

Best regards,

Jared Steege

Environmental Specialist 2

District 7 Environmental Office

[PColumbus73]

Link

A driver came to a complete stop in the center lane of I-71, causing a 3-car crash and then left the scene.

[LilianaUwU]

Link

A driver came to a complete stop in the center lane of I-71, causing a 3-car crash and then left the scene.

How are people this oblivious?

[mgk920]

"There are two things without limit, the Universe and human stupidity.  And I am not totally sure about the former." (Albert Einstein)

Mike

[TempoNick]

Better Link from WKRC:  https://local12.com/news/nation-world/do-not-be-this-driver-car-stops-on-highway-leading-to-chain-reaction-crash-cincinnati-columbus-ohio-odot-accident-police

[PColumbus73]

I haven't seen an update about authorities pursuing charges. Might be difficult to do if they don't have a plate number, but I would think this qualifies for fleeing the scene in the least.

[TempoNick]

I haven't seen an update about authorities pursuing charges. Might be difficult to do if they don't have a plate number, but I would think this qualifies for fleeing the scene in the least.

They've got enough cameras everywhere that it should be easy to get a license plate number.

[sprjus4]

You'd think someone would have dash cam footage of this with how common they are nowadays, and how much this video has gone viral.

[thenetwork]

Link

A driver came to a complete stop in the center lane of I-71, causing a 3-car crash and then left the scene.

How are people this oblivious?

Michigan Driver in Columbus???

[Plutonic Panda]

This happens all the time I've seen so many videos of shit like this. It infuriates me but at the same time let this guy go because they don't do anything about any of the other people to do this kind of shit. At least it doesn't go viral as much as this one did. The one thing I hate more than stupid people doing stupid shit stupid people doing stupid shit, and it going viral and then becoming famous because of it. Catch me outside

[coldshoulder]

In Youngstown today, an accident on OH-711 was referred, incorrectly, by 2 different TV News stations as 7-11; and I-711. 

https://www.wfmj.com/story/52749068/crash-slows-traffic-on-711-connector-in-youngstown

https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/youngstown-news/traffic-slowed-after-crash-on-i-711-in-mahoning-county/

[seicer]

Interstate 70 Improvements- Belmont County

The Interstate 70 improvement project will involve the full depth reconstruction of 4.52 miles of I-70 as well as the ramps at Banfield Road interchange, National Road East interchange, and High Ridge. The ramps at Mall Road will be resurfaced.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2029 and will last eighteen months. Traffic will be maintained during construction.

-

U.S. Route 22 Safety Improvement Project - Roadway Widening

A project to improve safety along a three-mile stretch of U.S. Route 22 in Harrison County by widening an existing two-lane section to four lanes between the villages of Cadiz and Hopedale in Harrison County in 2027. (This will provide a continuous four-lane section east of Cadiz.)

-

U.S. Route 250 Pavement Improvement Project in Harrison County

The project will rehabilitate a nearly four-mile section of pavement along U.S. Route 250, extending from State Route 151 to the Tappan Lake Rest Area. The existing concrete base will be removed and replaced, and the pavement will undergo full-depth replacement and resurfacing. Additionally, the project will include drainage improvements, such as the installation of new culverts, along with new guardrails and pavement markings.

Traffic will be detoured during construction. The official detour will be State Route 151 east to State Route 646 south, and reverse.

Construction will begin in the spring of 2028 and last approximately five months.