Hobart/Carl Smith Drive construction project advancing rapidly

Well in advance of its projected 2016 completion, construction of the new Hobart Road/Carl Smith Drive in Highland County is moving ahead rapidly, and contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Highland County Engineer’s Office are gearing up for the next major phase of construction.

Crews from the John R. Jurgensen Company are extending Hobart Drive from its terminus near Homestead Avenue and U.S. Route 62 at the northern corporation limit of Hillsboro to state Route 73 at the city’s west side. With the project being built in phases, operations have included the construction of a new roadway from the existing Hobart Road to S.R. 73, which is the Carl Smith Drive component; a roundabout at the new roadway’s intersection with Careytown Road; turn lanes on S.R. 73 and U.S. 62, with a flashing light at S.R. 73 and a stop-and-go signal at U.S. 62; and improvements to Harry Sauner and Careytown roads.

Currently, traffic restrictions are in effect on Hobart Road for additional drainage and paving work. The existing road remains open two-way traffic, and traffic is being maintained by flaggers. In addition, Jurgensen crews are completing curb work on the new road, as well as paving operations on Harry Sauner Road, Careytown Road and S.R. 73 in preparation for restrictions that will be imparted next week on Hobart Road.

On Monday, August 31, Hobart Road will be restricted to one-way westbound traffic from U.S. 62, with Hobart Road closed to eastbound traffic while the contractors reconstruct and widen the segment of road between Homestead Avenue and U.S. 62. Hobart Road motorists wanting to travel east to access U.S. 62 will be detoured by way of Carl Smith Drive, Careytown Road and Harry Sauner Road.

Going forward, lane restrictions will also be imparted on U.S. 62, whereby two-way traffic will be shifted onto existing and temporary pavement in two, 10-foot lanes. This temporary change, however, is not anticipated to be in effect until mid to late September.

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 scheduled completion date is October 15, 2016, most construction is expected to be completed in the fall of this year.