PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Motorists traveling through Pickaway County will need to navigate around a long-term closure on Airbase Road (County Road 237). The roadway is officially closed from Henson Family Street north to the bridge, with traffic restrictions expected to remain in place until June 30, 2027.
The closure is part of massive, state-backed infrastructure transformations paving the way for one of the largest economic development projects in Ohio’s history.
Paving the Way for Arsenal-1
The closure facilitates critical utility and roadwork solutions managed by the Pickaway County Port Authority. The Port Authority is the recipient of an $86 million infrastructure allocation from the state’s All Ohio Future Fund.
The lion’s share of that funding—$70 million—is dedicated directly to supporting the infrastructure needs of Arsenal-1, a massive manufacturing facility spearheaded by defense technology company Anduril Industries.
Arsenal-1 spans more than 600 acres along Airbase Road, serving as a high-tech production hub for autonomous systems and defense equipment. In addition to extensive road restructuring and utility upgrades along the corridor, the initiative funds the construction of a public airport taxiway to seamlessly link manufacturing operations with nearby aviation facilities.
Economic Impact and Job Growth
The broader development effort spans over 1,000 total acres, setting the stage for monumental economic growth in Central Ohio:
- Massive Capital Investment: The overarching project is projected to draw an initial capital investment exceeding $1 billion (with total enterprise investments scaling even higher over its multi-year buildout).
- Thousands of New Jobs: The development is slated to generate more than 4,000 full-time, direct jobs, accompanied by thousands of indirect supplier and construction roles.
Drivers impacted by the Airbase Road closure are advised to follow posted local detour signs and allow extra travel time while construction crews complete the foundational utility and roadway improvements.
