New Ohio 309 overpass will keep traffic flowing

MARION - Local and state officials are heralding a new overpass for Harding Highway East (Ohio 309) as a boon for the local economy and transportation access.

The project will move vehicle traffic over the railroad tracks at the Marion Intermodal facility east of Pole Lane Road. Motorists will have to wait a bit for relief from traffic backups, though: The overpass is projected to be completed by the end of 2019.

"We hope to start as early as July 2018 and hope to have it completed by the fall of 2019," Brian Davidson, project manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation said, Friday.

He said the work will be conducted without completely closing the highway and will also provide intersection improvements in the area. Currently, the railroad crosses Ohio 309/Harding Highway East and trucks have to stop for trains, causing delays.

"It removes a huge barrier," said Marion CAN DO! Director Gus Comstock.

(This project) affects shippers within a 100 mile radius so it's not just local, this has regional impacts," said Matthew Diedrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission. He worked with Ted Graham, president of Marion Intermodal and Marion Industrial Center, to build up the facility and said a privately owned site is "a very unique thing."

"It'll ease the use of the Intermodal (site) and therefore encourage growth," Graham said. "...Hopefully it'll become even more of a distribution center for people using the intermodal services."

The project was made possible through a $6.6 million federal grant, more than $2 million in county funds and $1.5 million from the Ohio Rail Development Commission, according to ODOT spokeswoman Nancy Burton. CSX Transportation will also be supporting the bridge work.

Mayor Scott Schertzer said that many of the leaders on this project were also involved in the Marion-Williamsport Road extension and said both projects represented major benefits for local economic development.

"(The Marion-Williamsport Road extension) created and retained jobs in Marion's biggest employer, Whirlpool, and now we're going to do the same thing on the east side of the county," Schertzer said.

Marion County Commissioner Dan Russell also praised the project, which was announced during the commissioner's meeting on Friday.

"I'm sure this will move forward real well," Russell said. "I think it'll be a good thing for Marion County in the future."

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