HANCOCK COUNTY: The intersection at State Route 15 and County Road 8 will be eliminated

Work to remove pavement will begin Nov. 19

LIMA, Ohio (Nov. 12, 2024) - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Hancock County Engineer's office are partnering to enhance safety along State Route 15. Next week, work will begin to permanently remove access to State Route 15 from County Road 8.

"With the County Road 180 overpass and U.S. 68 roundabout complete, this section of State Route 15 is ready to function as a limited-access highway," said Chris Hughes, District 1 deputy director. "The closure will redirect traffic to interchange access points located nearby at U.S. 68 and State Route 37, which are a safer way to enter and exit the busy highway," he said.

The median closed in 2023 for construction of the County Road 180 overpass with limited access to the divided highway (right-in/right-out only).

Removal of the median pavement will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 19. State Route 15 will have passing lane closures in both directions.

All access to State Route 15 from County Road 8 will close according to the schedule below:

• Monday, Dec. 2:
  • County Road 8 on the east side of State Route 15 will close.
  • Eastbound driving lane closure for pavement removal and marking installation.
• Tuesday, Dec. 3:
  • County Road 8 on the west side of State Route 15 will close.
  • Westbound driving lane closure for pavement removal and marking installation.

Intermittent driving lane closures will take place for approximately two more weeks, weather depending, to remove pavement, cut in the ditch, and install right-of-way fence.

Signs on State Route 15 and the local roads approaching the intersections will be modified to reflect the change in access.

Since its original construction in the 1960s, daily traffic has risen from approximately 5,000 vehicles to over 20,000 in key sections - a four-fold increase. The access changes are essential to maintain safety and accommodate growing demand.

Next year, construction will begin of an overpass on County Road 193 over State Route 15 between the city of Findlay and the village of Vanlue.