ARRA-funded project set to begin on Highland-62

As a resurfacing project wraps up on state Route 321 in Highland County, contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation are preparing to begin the next phase of construction with a paving project on U.S. Route 62. Construction is scheduled tentatively to begin Friday, October 9, in which contractors will be making base repairs and resurfacing U.S. 62 from south (west) of County Road 97 (Mulbach Road) to the corporation limit of Hillsboro. With this project, motorists will notice "Putting America to Work" signs at the construction site, recognizing the use of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These signs are being installed throughout the state as projects funded by the ARRA begin. "As we continue to make historic levels of investment across the state with the use of stimulus funds, we are putting people back to work and helping others retain their jobs," said District 9 Deputy Director James Brushart. "And while we use these investments to extend the life of roadways and bridges, we are not only preserving our transportation system, we are transforming it." Along with the U.S. 62 project, Miller-Mason crews are nearing completion of the S.R. 321 paving project, where they are resurfacing the route from its intersection with S.R. 134 at Buford to its junction with U.S. 62, south of New Market. Miller-Mason Paving, of Hillsboro, Ohio, was awarded a contract for approximately $1.54 million to resurface both routes, and throughout construction traffic is being maintained in one lane with the use of flaggers. The scheduled completion date for all work is October 31. Transportation Investments At Work Across Ohio, ODOT has identified more than 200 projects in which to invest $774.2 million in transportation infrastructure stimulus funds - a combination of interstate, highway, local roadway, railroad, water port, airport, pedestrian and transportation enhancement projects. In District 9's eight-county region, there are 13 projects which have been identified to receive funds from the ARRA. Those stimulus projects that are currently under construction include the Ross-104 Widening project, a bridge replacement project on U.S. 52 in Scioto County, a culvert replacement project on S.R. 217 in Lawrence County, and resurfacing projects on S.R. 279 and S.R. 32 in Jackson County. A complete list of the transportation infrastructure projects prioritized for stimulus funding - with updates on projects which have been authorized by the Federal Highway Administration, contracts which have been awarded, and new employment opportunities - can be found online at www.dot.state.oh.us. [[In-content Ad]]