The following impacts to traffic related to the reconstruction and widening of Interstate 75 through Findlay and Hancock County are scheduled to occur soon, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation:
Interstate 75
Interstate 75, both northbound and southbound throughout the project, from just south of Harrison Street to county Road 99, is currently not restricted.
On Tuesday, May 22, the following impacts to traffic will occur:
Interstate 75, both northbound and southbound, will be restricted to one lane through the work zone during setting of beams over the northbound side of the railroad bridge and for pouring the concrete deck on the southbound side of the Blanchard River bridge.
• The restriction will be in place from 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22 until 7 a.m. the following day.
• In the northbound direction on I-75, the right lane will be closed from south of Harrison Street to U.S. 68/state Route 15.
• In the southbound direction on I-75, the left lane will be closed from U.S. 224 to county Road 99.
• All exits through Findlay will remain accessible and are not anticipated to be affected by this work.
On Thursday, May 24 the following impacts to traffic will occur:
Interstate 75 southbound, from Harrison Street to U.S. 68/state Route 15, will be restricted to one lane through the work zone during setting of beams on the southbound side of the railroad bridge.
• The restriction will be in place from 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, until 7 a.m. the following day.
• Work will close the right lane in the southbound direction on I-75.
• All exits through Findlay will remain accessible and are not anticipated to be affected by this work.
U.S. 68/state Route 15
U.S. 68/state Route 15 is reduced to one lane in both directions between Lima Avenue and the city of Findlay, which is just north of West Hobart Avenue, for drainage work and road reconstruction.
• The route will remain restricted to one lane throughout the summer.
U.S. 224 interchange
All ramps at the U.S. 224 interchange with Interstate 75 are currently open.
• Closures of the northbound ramps are anticipated to occur in July.
State Route 12 interchange
All ramps at the state Route 12 interchange with Interstate 75 are currently open.
• Closures of the northbound ramps are anticipated to occur in September.
U.S. 68/state Route 15 interchange
The exit ramp from Interstate 75 northbound to U.S. 68/state Route 15 (exit 156) closed June 19, 2017 for approximately three years.
• Traffic is detoured north to the state Route 12 interchange to Interstate 75 southbound back to U.S. 68/state Route 15.
Lima Avenue
Work on a future roundabout is currently occurring in the infield at Lima Avenue with no current effect to traffic. The roundabout will provide direct access to I-75 from Lima Avenue without first merging onto U.S. 68/state Route 15.
• In mid July, Lima Avenue is tentatively scheduled to close for approximately one year during construction of the roundabout.
Noise wall construction
Construction of noise walls is under way.
• Construction of the wall began in the south end of the project area on the east side of the interstate near Harrison Street and is proceeding to the north.
• Construction of the wall on the west side of the interstate is anticipated to begin after the July 4th holiday.
• Construction of all noise walls is expected to be completed in September 2018.
Noise walls will be constructed along the interstate at the following locations:
• Adjacent to Carlin Street north of county Road 313 and south of Harrison Street/county Road 144 on the east side of the interstate
• Adjacent to Broad Avenue between U.S. 224/Trenton Avenue and Bigelow Avenue/county Road 96 on the east and west side of the interstate
• Adjacent to Crosshill Drive from north of Bigelow Avenue/county Road 96 to just north of Hillshafer Drive on the east side of the interstate
About the Hancock I-75 project:
Interstate 75 will be reconstructed and widened beginning just south of Harrison Street/County Road 144, which is just south of the U.S. Route 68/state Route 15 interchange, to the county Road 99 interchange, Findlay, Hancock County.
The project will reconstruct approximately five miles of the existing four lanes of Interstate 75, construct an additional lane of travel in each direction, replace all mainline bridges on I-75, replace the Harrison Street overpass, redesign and reconstruct the interchange between U.S. 68/state Route 15 and Interstate 75, and redesign and reconstruct the interchange with U.S. 68/state Route 15 at Lima Avenue.
The project also includes the construction of noise walls at particular locations. Expected completion is May 2020. Beaver Excavating, Canton, serves as the general contractor.
