ODOT proposes bridge removal, pavement reconstruction on U.S. 6/U.S. 24 near Napoleon

Public asked to provide comment by July 3

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Monday, June 3, 2024) - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 2 invites the public to comment on a proposed project that would rehabilitate several bridges and reconstruct the pavement on U.S.6/U.S. 24 from the U.S. Route 6/U.S. 24 interchange on the west side of Napoleon to the Maumee River bridge in Henry County.

The project is tentatively scheduled to begin construction in 2026.

The proposed project would remove bridges that now carry U.S. 6/U.S. 24 over the abandoned Detroit, Toledo and Ironton railroad line. Converting the bridges to roadway would reduce the long-term costs associated with bridges that are no longer needed.

The project includes work on bridge structures at five locations:

• A location approximately 1,000 feet southwest of the U.S. 6/U.S. 24/State Route 108 interchange. Bridges over the abandoned Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad line would be removed. The area beneath these bridges would be backfilled with soil.
• Reconstructing bridge abutments, overlaying the bridge deck with a new concrete wearing surface, and replacing the bridge railing on the following bridges:
  • U.S. 6 and U.S. 24 over Oberhaus Creek
  • U.S. 6 and U.S. 24 over State Route 108
  • U.S. 6 and U.S. 24 over Van Hyning Creek
• Overlaying the bridge deck with a new concrete wearing surface on the U.S. 24 eastbound bridge over westbound U.S. 6.

ODOT is proposing to reconstruct the existing pavement from the U.S. 6/U.S. 24 interchange to the Maumee River bridge in the city of Napoleon, Liberty and Napoleon Townships, Henry County, Ohio. The project involves bridge work at five locations.

The area under the existing abandoned railroad bridges currently provides unofficial pedestrian access in the form of an unpaved footpath under U.S. 6/U.S. 24, from Glenwood Avenue to the Heritage Towne Shopping Center. The proposed project would maintain pedestrian access across U.S. 6/U.S. 24 by constructing a gravel path to connect the existing footpath to State Route 108 to the east. The footpath extension would tie into the recently constructed sidewalk at the State Route 108/U.S. 6/U.S. 24 roundabout.

The area under the abandoned railroad bridges, located southwest of the State Route 108 interchange, will be filled in with soil and the bridges converted to roadway. A new footpath will be constructed to provide pedestrian access from Glenwood Avenue to the south side of U.S. 6/U.S. 24.

The work at the abandoned railroad bridges will not affect the alignment or traffic operation of U.S. 6/U.S. 24. At least one lane in each direction will be maintained on U.S. 6/U.S. 24 during pavement reconstruction. There will be alternating ramp closures to complete work on the ramps throughout the project.  Local routes over/under U.S. 6/U.S. 24 will remain open (Glenwood Ave., SR 108, Oakwood Ave., Industrial Dr. & Enterprise Ave., SR 424).

All materials regarding the project are available and will remain for an indefinite time at the following website: Henry Co. US 6/24 Rehabilitation Project | Ohio Department of Transportation

The public is asked to review the project materials and provide feedback. Comments may be submitted on ODOT’s project website through the comment submittal form, or by direct contact at the number below. Comments received by July 3, 2024, will be included in the official project documentation, but all comments will be accepted at any time.

Individuals without computer access can request hard copies of the project materials by contacting ODOT District 2 at the number provided below.

Individuals who require interpretation services or a reasonable accommodation to view the project material or provide comments are asked to contact ODOT at the number below. Public participation in this project is solicited without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Questions or comments regarding the project may be directed to Julie Fahy, project manager, at 419-373-4441, or by email at Julie.Fahy@dot.ohio.gov.

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