The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently won the 2017 ODOT/ACEC Partnering Award for Excellence in Highway Design in the Best Urban Project category for the I-270/US 33 Interchange, designed by engineering company CH2M.
The awards are presented in three categories – urban, rural and structural projects – and are a cooperative effort between the American Council of Engineering Companies in Ohio and ODOT.
Construction on the interchange began in 2013. CH2M was hired to redesign the interchange, which exceeded the 1960s capacity by more than 100 percent. In addition, it was ranked as one of Ohio’s most dangerous interchanges.
The project created additional lanes to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. Obsolete geometric designs were removed. Seven ramps were realigned, and three bridges were widened.
Phase I was completed in 2016. Improvements cost $70 million.
Phase II is under consideration. When completed, it will become the nation’s first interchange to use predictive crash analysis methods.
Outdated infrastructure is gaining attention elsewhere in the state.
In Cincinnati, voters are willing to pay for a new bridge across the Ohio River to replace the Brent Spence Bridge.
A poll, conducted by The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, found 85 percent of those surveyed said the project was very important and three-fifths were willing to pay a $1 toll for its funding.