Preliminary work on the Interstate 75 widening project began Monday night in Wood County.
"It’s officially started and they’re officially doing work," said Theresa Pollick, ODOT
District 2’s public information officer. "This is just the beginning."
The work began on I-75 from U.S. 6 to Cygnet Road and involves pre-work prior to construction.
"In other words, they’re doing pavement repairs and doing some necessary things before" the
major portions of the project begin.
Work in that area is expected through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., with lane restrictions possible. All
work is weather permitting.
"Pretty much during the entire project, the work is going to be done at night, and that’s the only
time that we’re going to have lane restrictions."
Pollick says they hope restrictions on traffic during the daytime and at peak travel times will be
minimized. At points in the project, she said, there will be reduced speeds in some areas.
"You just need to keep in mind that traffic will be a bit slower."
The project is designed to increase capacity on the highway and will add a third lane to nearly 32 miles
of the interstate corridor from Perrysburg to Findlay. Construction of the third lane will continue over
the next three years, at a cost of $197 million.
ODOT announced last year it had sped up the project to widen the interstate, which had originally not
been slated to occur until 2027 but was moved up by leveraging bonds against future turnpike toll
revenue.
Priority was given to projects that would facilitate commerce and job creation. Local leaders praised the
move as a way to speed up both commuter and commercial travel on the highway.
Overall, ODOT will fund $3 billion in projects over six years. Northwest Ohio will be the focus of 10
projects totaling $495 million.