The official start of winter means the shutting down of many construction projects across the state, including the Nelsonville Bypass.

Although work on the 8.5 mi. (13.7 km) long bypass will start back up next spring, 2012 was a highly productive and successful year for the $138 million project.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the progress we’ve made this year,” said ODOT District 10 Deputy Director Steve Williams.

“Once we open the bypass next year, this major corridor and busy truck route will not only be safer to travel but will further enhance economic development opportunities in southeastern Ohio.”

ODOT broke ground on Phase II and III on Oct. 13, 2009. The entire bypass is scheduled to open by fall 2013.

From January 2012 to November 2012, contractors Kokosing Construction Company (Phase II) and Beaver Excavating (Phase III) along with their subcontractors logged more than 160,000 hours combined on the two phases — that’s equivalent to working 24 hours a day for 18 years.

2012 Phase II Stats

Phase II of the Nelsonville Bypass includes more than 3 mi. (4.8 km) of highway earth work and 4.56 mi. (7.4 km) of four-lane paving. Phase II also consists of construction of the west interchange as well as the construction of four bridges.

• Poured four bridge decks for a total of 1,304 cu. yds. (997 cu m) of concrete

• Installed 19,000 ft. (5,791 m) of guardrail — equivalent to the length of nearly 53 football fields

• Placed more than 52,000 tons (47,174 t) of aggregate base — equivalent to the weight of the Titanic

• Paved 8,646 cu. yds. (6610 cu m) of asphalt

• Placed more than 475,000 sq. yds. (363,164 sq m) of seeding and mulching

• Installed 89,000 ft. (27,127 m) of drainage pipe — approximately 17 mi. (27.4 km) long

One of the greatest accomplishments made this year was the opening of 3.8 miles of Phase II — nearly nine months ahead of schedule.

“The opening of phase two ahead of schedule is incredible and illustrates the hard work ODOT and the contractors have been doing since we broke ground in 2009,” said Phase II Project Engineer Audrey Seals. “Motorists can now get into and out of Nelsonville much safer than before.”

2012 Phase III Stats

Phase III begins near Doanville and includes construction of 3.87 mi. (6.2 km) of four-lane highway. Also included in Phase III is the construction of the U.S. 33 / SR 78 / SR 691 interchange. The project will reroute SR 78 1.63 mi. (2.6 km) through the Happy Hollow area to form the interchange.

• Excavated the final 400,000 cu. yds. (305,822 cu m) of dirt and placed the last 170,000 cu. yds. (129,974 cu m) of embankment

• Placed 15,000 cu. yds. (11,468 cu m) of grout — that’s enough to fill four-and-a-half Olympic sized pools

• Installed 111,000 ft. (33,832 m) of drainage pipe — approximately 21 mi. (33.8 km) long

• Placed 75,000 tons (68,038 t) of aggregate base — the weight of nearly three-and-a-half Great Sphinx

• Paved 70,000 sq. yds. (58,529 sq m) of concrete pavement — equal to nearly 14-and-a-half acres

• Poured 5 bridge decks for a total of 2,165 cu. yds. (1,655 cu m) of concrete

• Placed 437,000 sq. yds. (365,388 sq m) of seeding and mulching

“We accomplished our goals this year of finishing the excavation work, mine grouting and pouring the concrete decks,” said Phase III Project Engineer Daniel McDonald. “Next year we’ll focus on paving, finishing the State Route 78 interchange and installing safety items such as pavement markings, signs and lighting.”

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