Roundabout work on schedule, opening to traffic on Tuesday

Motorists driving on State Route 93 near the U.S. 52 interchange can now begin to see the two roundabouts, under construction, progressing toward completion.

Work has been under way there since the spring, passing the halfway point in July, when exit closures changed directions and now the brick median, similar to the roundabout in South Point, are clearly visible.

According to Matt McGuire, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9, work is on schedule.

When interviewed by The Tribune on Thursday, McGuire said the plan was for all lane closures to end in October and the exits and roundabouts to be open for traffic through the winter.

Then, this week, on Wednesday, he got word from the contractor that they were ready to open to traffic ahead of schedule.

McGuire said the plan is now for the roundabouts to open to traffic on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

McGuire said there will still be crews there doing work, such as on the center islands, and there will be one narrow, 10-foot lane for traffic in each direction.

“But they will be open to traffic, as if they were roundabouts,” he said.

McGuire said crews will continue to be on site doing work until October, and he urged motorists to be mindful and cautious in the area.

In the spring, the contractor will come back to do final paving on the project, he said.

Currently, the on ramp from Route 93 to westbound U.S. 52 and the off ramp from eastbound U.S. 52 to Route 93 are closed during construction. McGuire said all ramps will be open on Tuesday.

A roundabout is also planned for Marion Pike near the Coal grove interchange of U.S. 52, though McGuire said this will not be an ODOT project and will be handled by local government.