The largest highway construction project in Ohio Department of Transportation history is underway in southern Ohio. Once completed, the State Route 823 Portsmouth Bypass will pick up just north of Lucasville and end outside of Wheelersburg.
The massive project will cost in excess of $400 million, according to ODOT Chief Engineer Jim Barna and could shave as much as 30 minutes off travel time, once the bypass opens in late 2018. State Route 823, which is also known as the "Southern Ohio Veterans Memorial Highway", will allow motorists to bypass the city of Portsmouth, which means not having to drive past 80 intersections, 30 traffic signals and 500 driveways.
The project is different in not only the way it's being paid for, but also the way the highway's up-keep will be handled. The project will be paid for over three decades and a private road maintenance company will take care of repair needed over 35 years. ODOT will handle the snow removal.
To hear our Communique interview with ODOT Chief Engineer Jim Barna and ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning, go to our podcast link below...