Crescent-News.com - Long stretch of U.S. 24 to open Friday

By TODD HELBERG

cnedit@crescent-news.com

A long stretch of the new U.S. 24 is about to open while a new interchange has finally been fully opened.

According to Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials, the segment running from Ohio 66 in Defiance to Napoleon will open in both directions on Friday.

However, ODOT spokesman Rhonda Pees said there will be some lane restrictions in the westbound lanes -- which were built last year, minus a final topping of asphalt -- while the contractor places the final pavement. This should be completed by month's end.

"The roadway is expected to be fully opened to traffic by the end of the month," she said.

With the expected restrictions in the westbound lanes, the speed limit will remain 55 miles per hour while workers are present, Pees explained. This will be increased to 65 miles per hour when workers aren't on the job and after work is completely finished.

The new eastbound lanes will open Friday with a 65-mile per hour limit.

This section has been under construction by Miller Brothers Construction, Archbold, for the past two years. The contracted cost was $49.5 million.

The work included construction of an interchange at Domersville Road, which opened in December 2007, an overpass at Carpenter Road, completed this summer, and two new lanes between Defiance and Napoleon. A small stretch of the new four-lane road near the Domersville Road interchange opened in December.

Meanwhile, ODOT has announced that the new interchange at Ohio 15/18 is officially open to all traffic. According to Pees, a wide load restriction on the interchange -- in place since work began in 2006 -- was lifted Wednesday.

The interchange has been completely open to other traffic all week.

"There will be an occasional work zone to take care of punch list items, such as grass seeding, etc., but nothing long term," said Pees.

The 15/18 interchange work is part of the U.S. 24 widening project's first phase, running from Ohio 424 to just east of 15/18.

That stretch has also included construction of new bridges over the Tiffin and Maumee rivers, an overpass at West High Street, a new connector road between that street and Ralston Avenue, and two new lanes.

According to Pees, contractor E.S. Wagner, Oregon, has a Dec. 15 completion deadline for this section. However, she said this section should be functioning with four-lane travel "in early to mid-November."

At present, workers are completing a new bridge on the Tiffin River and still have paving to finish, Pees said.

The contracted price for the Ohio 424-Ohio 15/18 section was $36.7 million.