Ohio Breaks Ground on U.S. 33 Expansion

State and local officials joined the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Kokosing Construction on Monday to break ground on a major expansion of U.S. Highway 33 through Athens and Meigs counties.

The $274 million project will upgrade the final two-lane segments of U.S. Highway 33 between Columbus and the Ohio River, converting 25 miles of highway into a four-lane, divided corridor. The improvements are expected to enhance safety, reduce congestion and support growing freight traffic along the emerging transportation route.

“This is a transformational investment for southeastern Ohio,” said Rich Oster, ODOT District 10 deputy director. “Projects of this magnitude are rare in this region, and this one will deliver lasting benefits in mobility and economic opportunity.”

The project is divided into two segments: a 10.78-mile upgrade between Athens and Darwin, which includes four new interchanges and seven new bridges; and a 14.19-mile upgrade between State Route 7 and Ravenswood, featuring added turn lanes, drainage improvements and three new bridges.

Both segments include resurfacing of the existing roadway.

U.S. Highway 33 is a key connector between central Ohio and the southeastern U.S. via Interstate 77. With truck traffic increasing, the expansion is aimed at bolstering the route’s capacity and long-term viability.

Construction is scheduled to continue through 2028.

Source: Ohio Department of Transportation, WSAZ.com