WATERVILLE, OH (Toledo News Now) - Special events will be taking place Tuesday night as the new US 24 is ready to open.
Wednesday morning drivers will have access to a new, four lane highway from Napoleon to Toledo. The stretch from the Indiana state line to Napoleon was finished in 2009.
Jamie Black is the co-chairman of the "Fort to Port Improvement Organization." It is a group that realized the increased severity of accidents along US 24 over the last few decades.
The current US 24 is narrow and windy but offers the best route for truckers heading between Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Toledo. The semis will be able to separate from the local traffic and take the new route.
"To get this road moved, to get this traffic moved out of Waterville, you are going to see I think a real opportunity for downtown Waterville to revitalize itself. It's going to be quieter, it should be calmer. We'll have a safer route," said Jamie Black of the "Fort to Port" improvement group.
The seven construction sections of the new US 24 in Ohio cost more than $400 million. The Napoleon to Toledo stretch has taken four years to complete, but ODOT believes it had to be done to improve safety for all drivers and to boost commerce and the economy.
"Because what it's going to do, it's going to allow that free-flowing access, less congestion. The truckers will be able to cut their travel time a little bit. You'll also be able to move more efficiently and that's what it's all about," said Theresa Pollock, an ODOT spokesperson.
ODOT is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. on the new highway in Monclova Township. Biking the new highway at route 64 and the new 24 will start at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night and a 2 mile run-walk at 7 p.m.
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