More than half of the Nelsonville Bypass, which so far has generated anticipation for drivers and anxiety for local businesses, could open a full year ahead of schedule.
The four-lane bypass, a three-phase project started in 2007, will allow traffic on U.S. 33 to circumvent the city of Nelsonville. Once opened, it will provide motorists an alternate route to the city's two-lane road that often creates traffic congestion.
The project was originally expected to be finished by July 31, 2013, but swift work could allow Phase II, which runs for about five of the eight and a half miles of the bypass, to open as soon as July 31, 2012, said Steve Williams, an Ohio Department of Transportation spokesman.
Funding for the project was provided through $150 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to an ODOT news release.
After Phase II is completed, vehicular traffic will be able to travel on that portion of the road, helping alleviate current traffic concerns in the construction area, Williams said.
Work on the third phase of the project is taking place simultaneously with Phase II, however it will take longer to finish, Williams said.
Nelsonville officials have discussed constructing a bypass in the area since the 1960s because the transition from the four-lane road north of the city into Nelsonville's two-lane road creates a bottleneck that can be dangerous, he said.
The bypass will help mainly with traffic
Williams said. But the traffic that the bottleneck creates can be unsafe.
Phase I of the project focused on dirt and drainage work and construction workers finished in August 2009, allowing Phase II to begin, according to ODOT.
Completion of Phase III, the final stretch of the bypass, is scheduled for July 31, 2013.
Currently, Phase III is also ahead of schedule, but recent weather delays could set the project back to its original completion date, Williams said.
When finished, the bypass will complete the corridor from Columbus to Charleston, W.Va., Williams said, adding that this connection could bring development to cities running along it.
Any major four-lane highway will bring development he said.
Although ODOT officials expect the bypass to develop the areas near it, many in Nelsonville said they worry about the economic effects on the city.
Despite the anxiety created by traffic diversion, Dave Loge, president of Nelsonville Chamber of Commerce, said he is not worried for the city's economy. He notes, however, that some businesses that rely heavily on traffic, such as gas stations and fast food restaurants, may be more affected than others.
Although businesses that are traffic-reliant may face some difficulties with the change, Loge said he is confident in the strength of the city's businesses.
A variety of Nelsonville attractions, such as Hocking College and Stuart's Opera House, have made the city a destination town Loge said.
There will be changes
but we won't fall off the map by any means
Loge said.
ODOT officials said they are confident that the bypass will not affect businesses in Nelsonville to a great degree.
A lot of people will still go through Nelsonville
Williams said.
Some Athens residents said they are excited to cut down on traveling time with the new bypass.
Athens resident Chris McCauley said he has been waiting for the Nelsonville Bypass to open because his trip through the city often takes at least 10 minutes. He has circumvented Nelsonville to avoid traffic in the past.
I've sat in traffic for 45 minutes before
McCauley said. I'll be really glad when it opens and I can avoid all of that.
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Ryan Clark
