I-75-CR 99 interchange opens

FINDLAY — Local officials joined personnel from the Ohio Department of Transportation to cut the ribbon and officially open the redesigned interchange at Interstate 75 and County Road 99, on Findlay's north side. The $30.8 million project, which began in early 2024, constructed a diverging diamond interchange. The project involved construction of a new bridge on the south side of the existing County Road 99 bridge, and refurbishing the existing bridge. "The two bridges are central to the function of a DDI," said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director, in a release. "Under traffic signal control, motorists wishing to enter the interstate from County Road 99 will travel onto the opposite, or left bridge, and proceed onto the interstate in a continuous motion. No more waiting for a break in traffic to turn left. "The design is significantly safer and more efficient," he said. ODOT claims that compared to a traditional interchange, DDIs eliminate turns against oncoming traffic, eliminate traffic signal phases, reduce delays, are more efficient and reduce overall crashes by an average of 37%, and injury and fatal crashes by an average of 54%. Along with construction of the additional bridge, the project also installed turn lanes on County Road 99 to Technology, Speedway and Ventura drives; installed new traffic signals at Technology and Ventura drives, and upgraded existing signals; and constructed a multi-use path on the south side of County Road 99, and a sidewalk on the north side. The interchange is the third of its kind in Northwest Ohio. The first in the region opened in 2021 at Interstate 475 and State Route 25 in Perrysburg. Crash stats before and after interchange construction show the design eliminated left-turn crashes. "We expect the same result here," said Hughes. Tim Mayle, of the Transportation Review Advisory Council and former director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, regarded the project as significant for the region. "As the former director of economic development and now a TRAC member, I have had the opportunity to be involved with this project from the very beginning. The significant investments along this corridor over the past several years in manufacturing and logistics, along with the vision of the community, made this a high priority for ODOT TRAC," Mayle said. TRAC is the statewide body that awards construction funding for major new projects over $12 million that increase capacity or reduce congestion. "This corridor has long been one of Hancock County's most important gateways — connecting I-75 to a thriving hub of manufacturing, logistics, and distribution activity and shows why northwest Ohio continues to be recognized as a top-tier location for manufacturing and distribution," said Dean Monske, president and CEO for Regional Growth Partnership. Miller Bros. Construction, Inc., Archbold, has been the general contractor on the project.