Chillicothe, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Transportation is set to enter the second year of a major, multi-year safety and mobility project along the State Route 159/North Bridge Street corridor, a heavily traveled commercial route that serves motorists, pedestrians, and local businesses. Officials say the next phase will bring significant traffic changes as crews continue transforming the corridor to improve safety, reduce congestion, and modernize infrastructure.
The project builds on work completed during the first year and is designed to create a safer, more efficient roadway while enhancing pedestrian access and improving the overall travel experience.
Major progress completed in first year
Construction began last spring, and crews have already completed several key improvements. Utilities were relocated to prepare for roadway upgrades, and the Scioto River bridge received multiple enhancements, including painted bridge rails, new LED lighting, improved sidewalks, and a shared-use path that now connects to the flood wall trail.
Officials also reported that the majority of the east side sidewalk work has been completed. A new roundabout at Stewart Road has opened to traffic, though the final traffic pattern is still forthcoming. The connector linking North Plaza Boulevard and Marietta Road is now open, helping traffic flow through the area.
Currently, Bridge Street traffic includes three northbound and three southbound lanes with all intersection turn lanes open, providing improved movement through the corridor.
“Construction crews made major improvements in the first year of this transformative project, but there’s a lot more work to be done,” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Mike Dombrowski. “We appreciate everyone’s patience thus far, and we’re asking for continued patience as we enter this next, more impactful, phase of the project.”
What to expect in the next construction phase
Work is expected to begin in mid-March and will include widening pavement, installing sidewalks, curb ramps, lighting, and new traffic signal poles. Crews will also complete sidewalk connections to Chillicothe Mall and install pocket parks to improve the corridor’s appearance and usability.
Additional improvements include staining and sealing retaining walls near Kroger Fuel and McDonald’s and installing black railings. Between Stewart Road and the U.S. 35 westbound off-ramp, a third northbound lane will be added to improve traffic flow.
Crews will remove 13 inches of existing pavement and replace it with full-depth concrete pavement along SR 159 and portions of the U.S. 35 ramps. A shared-use path will be built from Stewart Road to the U.S. 35 west ramp, while sidewalks and curb ramps will be added on the southbound side.
Other improvements include constructing a retaining wall below the U.S. 35 overpass and installing lighting and sidewalks along North Plaza Boulevard.
Traffic impacts and detours
Traffic impacts will be significant during this phase. 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 be closed. Southbound traffic will be diverted to the westbound U.S. 35 ramp.
The SR 104/High Street on-ramp to eastbound U.S. 35 will also close due to concerns that congestion could back up onto the highway. Drivers traveling eastbound on U.S. 35 are advised to remain in the left lane when passing through the High Street and Bridge Street interchanges to reduce crash risks.
North Plaza Boulevard will close as well, with traffic redirected to the new Marietta Road connector. Officials expect these closures to last approximately eight to nine months.
“We appreciate that businesses and their customers have endured a lot of inconvenience over the past year, but we know that the inconvenience will soon lead to much safer travel and easier access to these businesses for everyone who depends on this vital commercial corridor,” Dombrowski added.
Looking ahead and safety reminders
As in the previous year, construction is expected to pause ahead of the busy holiday season just before Thanksgiving. Additional work will continue in 2027, but officials say those activities are not expected to cause major traffic disruptions. Once pavement work in the interchange area is completed, all lanes in both directions will reopen.
During construction, drivers are urged to remain alert, reduce speeds, and watch for workers and changing traffic patterns. Officials emphasize that patience and caution during construction will help ensure safety and lead to long-term improvements for everyone who relies on the Bridge Street corridor.
