New I-75 to experience slight delay

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - 2 NEWS has learned the drive of your dreams on Interstate 75, four lanes, fewer exits and less congestion will be pushed back, although officials are confident it will happen.

"I want to assure you this is still moving forward as planned," Ohio Department of Transportation District 7 Deputy Director Randy Chevalley says.

Chevalley talked to Dayton City Commissioners Wednesday about the funding situation that has caused the department to kill some projects and push back others.

But he tells 2 NEWS the final phase of the I-75 Modernization project that will deal with downtown Dayton will likely be delayed by only 7 months.

"Most people won't know that delay," Chevalley says. "We'll be continuing to look at little details and if we have to use our existing contract to get some prep work done we'll take advantage of that opportunity."

The problem is only about half of the funding is there for the $200 million project that was slated to start this fall.

Now much of the work won't get off the ground until next summer, but ODOT officials assured commissioners these plans will be realized unlike some other projects across the state.

"I have a high confidence level when ODOT looks at all the different funding sources there'll be monies to get us on schedule and on time," Chevalley says.

The project will eliminate all but one on-ramp and one off-ramp on each side of I-75 through downtown. Those on the northbound side will exit onto a reconfigured Second Street. Those on the southbound side will exit onto Third Street.

"One of the main drivers was the need to relieve the congestion," Chevalley says.

The project is supposed to be finished in 2017, as long as it avoids the troubles that can slow down anybody when it comes to Interstates.

"Ours has a very good chance to stay on schedule," Chevalley says.

The funding won't effect the current phases of the project. The work at State Route 4 and I-75 is nearly finished. The construction at U.S. 35 and I-75 is ahead of schedule and slated to be done in the summer of 2013.