Traffic changes will soon be coming to U.S. Route 23 in Ross County as construction gets under way for a roadway improvement project at the route’s intersections with Crouse Chapel Road and Blackwater Road.
As part of a three-phase project, contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation will construct a new right-turn lane from northbound U.S. 23 to eastbound Crouse Chapel Road, as well as reconstruct the southbound left-turn lane from U.S. 23 South to Crouse Chapel Road. In addition, crews from Shelly and Sands, Incorporated will be constructing a southbound left-turn lane at Blackwater Road and resurfacing S.R. 159 through the Village of Kingston.
While preliminary operations have already begun, traffic impacts at U.S. 23 and Crouse Chapel Road will go into effect next week when the median crossover at the intersection will be closed and left-turn movements from Crouse Chapel Road to U.S. 23 in either direction, as well as Crouse Chapel Road through-traffic movements, will be prohibited
Throughout construction at the Crouse Chapel and Blackwater Road intersections, traffic on U.S. Route 23 will be maintained in a minimum of one lane in each direction, and during the initial stages of construction, motorists will continue to have access to Crouse Chapel with right-in/right-out turning movements.
As the project advances, both Crouse Chapel and Blackwater roads will be subject to closure at various intervals for pavement reconstruction; during these times, traffic will be detoured via Seip Road. Traffic on S.R. 159 will be maintained by flaggers when crews are at work.
Shelly and Sands, Inc. was awarded a contract for approximately $983,580 to undertake the project, and construction is scheduled to be completed in late summer.