TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
By Rob Wiercinski - bio | email | Facebook
Posted by Lisa Strawbridge - email
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - The Ohio Department of Transportation (O-DOT) broke ground Friday on the massive I-475 improvement in Toledo.
The construction is expected to last three years, but the project manager assures drivers they're interfering as little as possible with commutes. Dennis Charvat says a minimum of two lanes will be open every day during daylight hours. Some days it will be three lanes. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is the only time they'll be restricting traffic to one lane.
The first closure for this project will be next week with the entrance ramp from Monroe Street to eastbound I-475 being temporarily shut down.
The project has been in the planning stages for 15 years. It has three main components. First, it will improve the traffic flow through the I-475/I-75 split. Second, it will widen I-475 between Rushland Avenue just west of Douglas and I-75. Lastly, it will provide a new interchange at ProMedica Parkway to service Toledo Hospital.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and others broke out the ceremonial shovels during the groundbreaking for the $64 million project.
While restrictions and construction begin this week, the major work is expected to ramp up after labor day.
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