COLUMBUS – With spring’s arrival comes the familiar sight of orange barrels and a renewed investment in Ohio’s transportation network. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is launching its largest-ever construction season, with $3.4 billion dedicated to improving infrastructure statewide.
This year’s construction program includes 977 new projects, addressing 739 bridges and 4,562 miles of roadway—enough to stretch from Columbus to San Diego and back. Among these, 36 major projects exceed $10 million each. Roughly 80% of this year’s investment will go toward preserving and maintaining existing roads and bridges.
The 2026 season also features 174 new safety projects, reinforcing Ohio’s status as a national leader in roadway safety spending per capita.
“As a state that makes and moves things, we must have a safe transportation system that is well maintained,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “As they do each year, our ODOT teams will be making enhancements to Ohio’s roadways to better protect everyone traveling on them.”
Since 2019, ODOT has delivered 6,067 projects totaling $15.5 billion in infrastructure investments.
“This record-setting construction season showcases ODOT’s commitment to building a resilient transportation system and saving lives,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “These investments keep Ohio at the center of the nation’s supply chain and strengthen our economic future.”
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Northwest Ohio
-
Allen & Hancock Counties – I-75 Resurfacing
$3.1 million project resurfacing sections of I-75 in both counties. Completion expected by fall 2026.
-
Wood County – I-75 and I-475 Resurfacing
Resurfacing near the Perrysburg interchange and Maumee River, with bridge approach leveling. Completion this fall.
Northeast Ohio
-
Cuyahoga County – I-90 Between E. 9th St. and Carnegie Ave.
$280 million pavement and bridge replacement project, scheduled through summer 2032. -
Erie County – U.S. 6 Connectivity Corridor
$27 million upgrade to improve efficiency through the Cedar Point Drive corridor. Completion expected spring 2029. -
Summit County – SR 8 Hi-Level Bridge Replacement
$157.6 million project adding auxiliary lanes and realigning SR 8. Completion set for summer 2028.
Central Ohio
-
Licking County – State Route 16 Rehabilitation & Expansion
$47.2 million project rebuilding pavement and maintaining bridges and culverts. Completion fall 2028. -
Union County – U.S. 42 and Industrial Parkway Safety Upgrades
$7.9 million project adding turn lanes and widening U.S. 42. Work wraps up this fall.
Southwest Ohio
-
Hamilton County – I-75 Bridge Rehabilitation (Lockland Split)
$12.6 million project resurfacing I-75 and repairing bridge steel and paint. Completion October 2026. -
Logan County – U.S. 33 at SR 274 Roundabout
Safety-focused roundabout project scheduled to finish June 2027.
Southeast Ohio
-
Athens & Meigs Counties – U.S. 33 Expansion Project
$274 million expansion converting 25 miles of U.S. 33 to a four-lane highway. Completion fall 2028. -
Ross County – SR 159 (Bridge Street) Safety Improvements
Ongoing $19.2 million effort improving traffic flow and adding pedestrian paths. Expected completion summer 2027. -
Belmont County – I-70 at SR 149 Interchange Improvements
$27 million investment enhancing safety and mobility. Completion anticipated summer 2029.
WORK ZONE SAFETY
Work zones remain dangerous for both crews and drivers. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,435 work zone crashes in 2025, with 21 fatalities and 96 serious injuries. Over one-third of all crashes occurred when workers were on-site.
Speeding and following too closely were leading causes. Troopers issued 7,019 speeding citations in work zones last year, more than one-third for motorists driving 20+ mph over the limit.
Tragically, earlier this year, Jordan Thomas, a 25-year-old Kokosing Construction employee, was killed after being struck by a vehicle that entered a closed section of I-70 in downtown Columbus. The driver remains at large. A $110,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477. Tips may be submitted anonymously.