Construction set to begin for Hobart Drive extension
A much-anticipated, long-awaited project in Highland County will soon be a reality as contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Highland County Engineer’s Office start construction of the new Hobart/Carl Smith Drive.
“This has been Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth’s project from the start, and he has worked very hard to make it happen,” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson.
“Dean has always been a champion for his county and the people he serves, and we are pleased to be working with him on an important project that will help alleviate traffic congestion and improve mobility for the residents and motorists of Highland County.”
Preliminary plans for the Hobart/Carl Smith Drive project began in January 2007 when Otworth approached the department with a vision to improve the area’s transportation network by extending the existing Hobart Road from its terminus near U.S. Route 62 at the northern corporation limit of Hillsboro to state Route 73 at the city’s west side.
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Eight years, several designs and countless hours later, the project has come together and construction is about to start.
“From grants and funding to permits and right of way, this has been a collaborative effort between the public and the private sector, and we truly appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved and their participation in this project,” said Otworth.
As part of the Hobart/Carl Smith Drive extension, construction will include improving the intersections with U.S. 62 and S.R. 73 by installing turn lanes on both routes; installing a traffic signal at the intersection with U.S. 62; improving Careytown Road with the construction of a roundabout; and improving Harry Sauner Road at its intersection with Careytown.
With utility relocation by the local water, gas, phone, cable and electric service providers already under way, crews from the John R. Jurgensen Company will begin operations Monday, April 20. The project will be constructed in phases, with operations beginning on S.R. 73 and Harry Sauner Road.
During the initial phase of construction, two-way traffic on S.R. 73 will continue to be maintained, and Harry Sauner traffic will be maintained in two lanes. Later in the project, Careytown Road will be subject to closure while the roundabout is constructed, and restrictions will also be in place on U.S. 62 during construction of the turn lanes to Hobart/Carl Smith Drive.
“With any new project come a lot of growing pains, and we realize the impact construction will have on the residents and the motorists in this busy corridor of Hillsboro,” said Otworth. “However, this project is long overdue, so we truly appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through these growing pains.”
The John R. Jurgensen Company of Cincinnati, Ohio was awarded a contract for approximately $6.9 million to construct the new road, and although the project will take approximately two construction seasons to build, the first phase of construction has an interim completion in the fall of 2015.
For additional information on lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents, flooding or other related traffic events throughout the state, visit ODOT on the web at www.ohgo.com.