CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A new interstate highway may be on the horizon for southern Ohio, as Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) pushes for the development of Interstate 73 (I-73) along the existing State Highway 23 corridor. On July 16, 2025, Taylor introduced H.Res. 608, a resolution supporting a feasibility study for the proposed interstate, which would stretch from Toledo through Columbus to the Kentucky/West Virginia border, aiming to enhance connectivity, safety, and economic growth in the region.
The resolution highlights the economic potential of I-73, particularly for rural communities in southern Ohio. Taylor emphasized the need for modern infrastructure to support the region’s growing industries, including a new defense technology manufacturing facility near Columbus and a uranium enrichment site in Piketon. “Workers need a reliable thoroughfare to commute to work, and our growing industries rely on a central road to transport goods,” Taylor said. “An I-73 corridor would also finally give small Appalachian businesses a chance to connect with the modern economy.”
The proposal builds on a 2022 Ohio State Legislature resolution that authorized a study on the I-73 corridor. In 2025, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) released a Strategic Transportation Development Analysis, identifying U.S. Route 23 as a priority corridor. ODOT recommended a feasibility study focusing on the segment from I-270 to south of Circleville, Ohio, to assess capacity, environmental impacts, and economic benefits. The study, expected to conclude by December 2026, will inform future decisions on the interstate’s development.
During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on July 16, 2025, Taylor pressed Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy on the need for federal support for rural infrastructure projects. “An interstate through southern Ohio would not just help connect rural communities to the modern economy but would enhance our national security because of multiple key facilities and defense-related companies along the route,” Taylor said.
Secretary Duffy acknowledged the infrastructure disparities faced by rural areas, stating, “We have too many communities that don’t have adequate infrastructure, and most of them are oftentimes rural.” He expressed openness to further discussions on the project, emphasizing the importance of data from states to prioritize such initiatives.
The proposed I-73 corridor is seen as a potential game-changer for southern Ohio, where urban areas have historically received more federal infrastructure funding. By improving access to markets and fostering economic development, the interstate could revitalize local businesses and strengthen national security through enhanced connectivity to defense-related facilities.
The feasibility study will provide critical data on the project’s viability, including cost-benefit analyses and environmental impacts. As Ohio awaits the study’s results, Taylor’s resolution underscores the region’s urgent need for infrastructure investment to support its economic resurgence.