PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ROUNDABOUT … ODOT’s proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and State Route 49 in Williams County is currently under public review, with construction tentatively scheduled for 2029.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced several current and upcoming construction projects affecting motorists in Fulton and Williams counties.
In Williams County, the State Route 34 bridge over Brush Creek, located between County Road 2425 and County Road 2350, is now open to traffic.
Drivers should expect periodic lane restrictions through June as crews complete finish work on the project.
In Fulton County, a maintenance closure took place on State Route 2 between County Road E and County Road 16, west of Wauseon, for a culvert replacement project.
The closure began Monday, June 8, and was scheduled to remain in place through Friday, June 12. Traffic was detoured via State Route 108 (Shoop Avenue), U.S. 20A, and State Route 66.
ODOT is also tracking several upcoming projects in the two-county area. In Fulton County, a bridge replacement project is planned on State Route 109 over Bear Creek.
The project is currently in the pre-construction phase and will replace the existing bridge at an estimated construction cost of approximately $1.08 million.
State Route 109 will be closed for approximately 60 days during the project, with traffic detoured using U.S. 20 to U.S. 23 to U.S. 223 to Michigan M-52, which becomes Ohio State Route 109 at the state line.
The project is being completed by Miller Brothers Construction Inc. and is expected to be completed in fall 2026.
ODOT also lists a future slide repair project on U.S. 20A in Fulton County near the village of Delta. The project is currently in development and carries an estimated construction cost of $1.49 million.
The work is categorized as geologic maintenance and slide repair, with construction projected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in summer 2026, according to the website.
In Williams County, a proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 20, State Route 49, and County Road 4 in Northwest Township is currently in the public comment period. As of June 11, ODOT listed 24 days remaining for comments.
The project is categorized as an intersection improvement safety project and carries an estimated construction cost of $3.53 million.
Construction is currently estimated to begin in spring 2029 and be completed in autumn 2029.
ODOT is proposing the roundabout to address safety concerns at the intersection. According to a 2024 safety study, nine crashes occurred there from 2021 through 2023, including one fatal crash and seven injury crashes.
The most common crashes were angle crashes involving vehicles failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
The proposed roundabout would include lighting, drainage, signing, and striping improvements. ODOT states the design will accommodate large trucks and farm equipment while minimizing impacts to Malcolm Cemetery.
The intersection is expected to be closed for approximately 60 days during construction.
Proposed detours are listed on the project website, and the contractor will be required to maintain access to adjacent properties throughout the project.
Permanent and temporary right of way acquisitions will also be needed, with project representatives expected to begin contacting affected property owners in 2027.
ODOT also lists a bridge preservation project on State Route 34 over Brush Creek in Williams County. The project includes repairs to the bridge through replacement of the wearing surface, painting of the structural steel, and other related work.
The project is currently listed as being in development. Construction is estimated to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in autumn 2026, with an estimated construction cost of $500,000.
A culvert preservation project is also listed on U.S. 127 in Williams County.
The project will replace culverts beneath U.S. 127 at two locations, including south of County Road 29 and over a ditch north of the village of West Unity.
The project is currently listed as being in development. Construction is estimated to begin in summer 2026 and be completed in autumn 2026, with an estimated construction cost of $370,000.
