CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation is entering the second year of construction along the State Route 159/North Bridge Street corridor, with significant traffic disruptions expected in the coming months.
The multi-year project is aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel along the city’s primary commercial corridor.
Work completed in 2025 included utility relocations, upgrades to the Scioto River bridge, a new shared-use path, sidewalk improvements, and the opening of the Stewart Road roundabout. Traffic currently flows in three lanes northbound and three lanes southbound 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,” ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Mike Dombrowski said. “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.”
Beginning in mid-March, all southbound lanes between North Plaza Boulevard and Stewart Road will close for approximately eight to nine months. Southbound traffic will be detoured to westbound U.S. 35. The SR 104/High Street on-ramp to eastbound U.S. 35 and North Plaza Boulevard also will close.
Two to three northbound lanes will remain open through the U.S. 35 interchange.
ODOT plans to suspend construction before Thanksgiving. Remaining work in 2027 is expected to have fewer traffic impacts.