Findlay motorists can now experience a smoother ride and less congestion with the opening of the new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at Interstate 75 and County Road 99. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), along with local officials, marked the official completion of the $30.8 million project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the interchange was opened to traffic, as reported by ODOT.
This infrastructure upgrade began construction in early 2024 and features an additional bridge to complement the existing one, which has also been rehabilitated. "The two bridges are central to the function of a DDI," ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes explained in a statement obtained by ODOT. By shifting motorists to the left side of the road under traffic signal control, the DDI design effectively eliminates the need for left turns across opposing traffic, reducing potential accident points and improving traffic flow.
DDIs are known for their effectiveness in reducing crashes and improving efficiency. In comparison to traditional interchanges, they have been shown to lower overall crashes by 37% and injury and fatal crashes by 54%. The Findlay interchange boasts new traffic signals, turn lanes leading to Technology, Speedway, and Ventura drives, and has added pedestrian-friendly features, including a multi-use path and a sidewalk.
Tim Mayle, a Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) member and former director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, emphasized the project's regional importance. He said, "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," according to ODOT. TRAC is a statewide body that funds major infrastructure projects exceeding $12 million, aimed at increasing capacity and reducing congestion. Miller Bros. Construction, Inc. was the general contractor for the project.
It's the third DDI to be implemented in northwest Ohio, with the first opening at Interstate 475 and State Route 25 in Perrysburg back in 2021. That particular interchange has already proven successful in eliminating left-turn crashes, a statistic that officials are hoping to replicate with the new Findlay interchange. Dean Monske, president and CEO for Regional Growth Partnership, highlighted the corridor's significance to Hancock County, linking Interstate 75 to a key hub of industry and underscoring northwest Ohio's prominence as a leading location for manufacturing and distribution.
