CHILLICOTHE — The Ohio Department of Transportation is preparing to begin the second year of a multi-year safety and congestion improvement project along the State Route 159/North Bridge Street corridor, with significant traffic impacts expected in the months ahead.
The project focuses on transforming the heavily traveled commercial corridor to improve safety and ease congestion for motorists and pedestrians.
“This transformative project made major strides in its first year, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Mike Dombrowski. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and ask for continued understanding as we move into a more impactful phase.”
First-Year Progress
Since construction began last spring, crews have completed several major improvements, including:
- Relocation of utilities along the corridor
- Painting and lighting upgrades on the Scioto River bridge
- Construction of a shared-use path across the bridge connecting to the floodwall trail
- Installation of new sidewalks on much of the east side of Bridge Street
- Opening of the Stewart Road roundabout
- Opening of the connector between North Plaza Boulevard and Marietta Road
- A new traffic pattern featuring three northbound and three southbound lanes, with all intersection turn lanes open
What’s Ahead in 2026
Construction on the next phase is expected to begin in mid-March.
North Plaza Boulevard/U.S. 35 to Chillicothe Mall
Planned improvements include:
- Widening southbound SR 159
- Installing sidewalks, curb ramps and lighting
- New traffic signal poles at intersections
- Installation of pocket parks
- Completing sidewalks from Pawnee Road to Chillicothe Mall
- Staining and sealing retaining walls near Kroger Fuel and McDonald’s
- Installing black railings on retaining walls
Stewart Road to North Plaza Boulevard
Crews will:
- Add a third northbound lane between Stewart Road and the U.S. 35 westbound off-ramp
- Remove 13 inches of existing pavement and replace it with full-depth concrete on SR 159 and portions of the U.S. 35 ramps
- Build a shared-use path on the northbound side
- Construct sidewalks and curb ramps on the southbound side
- Build a retaining wall beneath the U.S. 35 overpass
- Install new traffic signals and lighting
Major Traffic Changes Expected
While two to three northbound lanes will remain open through the U.S. 35 interchange, all southbound lanes from North Plaza Boulevard to Stewart Road will close for approximately eight to nine months.
Southbound traffic will be diverted onto the ramp to westbound U.S. 35.
In addition:
- The SR 104/High Street on-ramp to eastbound U.S. 35 will close.
- North Plaza Boulevard will close, with traffic rerouted to the new Marietta Road connector.
ODOT officials said traffic modeling indicates potential congestion near the Bridge Street and High Street interchanges, and drivers traveling eastbound on U.S. 35 are encouraged to remain in the left lane through the area to reduce crash risks.
Holiday Pause Planned
As in 2025, ODOT plans to suspend major construction work ahead of the busy holiday shopping season, just before Thanksgiving. Additional work will continue into 2027, though officials expect significantly fewer traffic disruptions once pavement work in the interchange area is complete and all lanes are restored.
Officials are urging drivers to reduce speeds and remain alert in work zones to ensure the safety of construction crews and fellow motorists.
