XENIA — A $12.6 million rehabilitation, preservation, and minor widening project on State Route 72 is set to begin next week in Greene County.

S.R. 72 will see extensive work including pavement repairing, shoulder widening in various sections, replacement of a box culvert, rehabilitation of a culvert and a bridge, and resurfacing within the 5.78-mile corridor.

“This stretch of State Route 72 is narrow and is known for issues with trucks overturning their vehicles, etc.,” County Engineer Stephanie Ann Goff said in an email. “This project widens U.S. 72 between Jamestown and Cedarville to reduce (the) number of crashes on this stretch of road. It’s a two-year project and we are excited to see the project starting in Greene County this year.”

Starting Monday, Feb. 20, contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation will install signing and start clearing within the right of way for the project that will extend between the U.S. 35 interchange and Turnbull Road at the Cedarville corporation limit. This will roll into the first phase of construction, which is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6, with pavement repairs.

Throughout the 2023 construction season, S.R. 72 will be closed to northbound traffic. The closure is currently set to go into effect in early April, according to a release from ODOT. Motorists will be detoured by way of U.S. 35 and U.S. 42 at Xenia; a local detour will also be maintained. Southbound traffic will be maintained with flaggers as needed throughout construction.

Fillmore Construction was awarded the contract and all work is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2024.

For ongoing traffic, construction, and weather-related information throughout the state, visit www.OHGO.com.