In sports, a coach will tell you that preparation, execution and patience are key components to getting a victory.

This is the same in many aspects in life.

However, a quarter century later Lawrence County residents, especially those in the villages of Chesapeake and Proctorville, are still showing a great deal of patience for the long awaited completion of the Chesapeake Bypass, also known as the Tri-State Metro Outerbelt.

With only 14 of the needed parcels purchased, the Ohio Department of Transportation will once again seek funding from the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC).

We see and read about projects like this going on throughout the state, and unfortunately Lawrence County residents and those charged with seeing the plan come to fruition are seemingly always on the outside looking in.

This is a vital highway project that will enhance the link between Lawrence County and the Tri-State along with much of the East Coast.

It is time for TRAC to realize how beneficial this can be for not only Lawrence County but the entire state.

Those involved in making the decision for funding should work diligently and approve financial support to ensure that we are not still waiting for the completion of the bypass in another 25 years.