Westbound State Route 2 to Northbound SR 269

State Route 2: Slide Repair

Ottawa County:  Through August 2018, westbound SR 2 near SR 269 will be reduced to one lane, and the ramp from westbound SR 2 to northbound SR 269 (Exit 125) will be closed for slide repair. Detour: northbound SR 53 (Exit 124); SR 163. All work is weather permitting. 

Timeline:

In mid-November 2017, crews noticed the pavement was cracked in the shoulder of westbound SR 2 at SR 269 exit 125, so they monitored it. Soon there was an inch difference in pavement heights, so ODOT engineers were deployed to inspect it, and the shoulder was closed.

On Wednesday, November 29, ODOT closed the ramp from westbound SR 2 to northbound SR 269, exit 125, because the difference in pavement heights was expanding. Shortly thereafter the pavement slid, or dropped down, as seen in the picture below. Because the area was already closed, nobody was injured in the slide.

Since then, ODOT has been monitoring the slide, conducting tests to determine the magnitude and creating a team to combat the problem. 

ODOT geotechnical crews surveyed the area and decided to proactively close the right lane of westbound SR 2 on Tuesday, December 5. 

The week of December 4, ODOT crews cleared vegetation from the side of the slope to allow access for survey and geotechnical equipment.

ODOT proactively removed the light pole just west of the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge.

Surveyors completed site survey work on Friday, December 8.  On Thursday, December 14, ODOT designers delivered preliminary cross sections of the slope to help evaluate the failure plane.

A geotechnical drilling crew completed installation of 3 inclinometers on the slope and began taking readings of movement of the slope.

Data about the slide was gathered through Friday, January 19, 2018. 

What's next:

• Analyzing data and creating a matrix of options to determine the best repair for this slide.
• This week ODOT crews are removing the pavement in the ramp lane and cutting some soil back to remove weight from the slide.
• The timeline for this project is unknown at this time; August 2018 was the initial estimate. ODOT understands this exit is important to the area's summer tourism and will do their best to repair this slide as soon as possible. 
• We know this inconveniences some travelers, but our priority is safety for the traveling public.
• We want to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money and do the proper repair, not just a quick fix that may fail in a couple of years.

For more information contact: District Two Public Information 419-373-4428 or d02.pio@dot.ohio.gov

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The environmental review, consultation and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.