T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Lauren Borell, public information officer for ODOT District 11, points to U.S. 250 near the Tappan Lake Marina in Scio where a construction project is set to take place this summer. Beginning July 6, the road will be closed from Ohio 800 near the village of Dennison to Ohio 151 for a rehabilitation project. The closure will last 100 days.

SCIO — The Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 announced more than $114 million in roadway improvement projects set to begin in the coming weeks during its “Construction Kickoff” event Tuesday morning at the Tappan Lake Marina.

One of those projects will leave U.S. 250 near Tappan Lake closed for 100 days.

Lauren Borell, public information officer for ODOT District 11, said a major rehabilitation project costing nearly $10.2 million will begin July 6 on the roadway from Ohio 800 just east of the village of Dennison to Ohio 151.

“In Eastern Ohio, it’s our biggest project. … It’s going to have a major traffic impact for the 100-day closure of the roadway. … We’re basically rebuilding the road. We’re going to remove the existing roadway that’s there in concrete and we’re going to build a new base, build that up and put a nice, new surface that will last for years to come,” she said.

She said the concrete on the road is deteriorating, and this project will help to preserve it for the future.

Tom Corey, deputy director of ODOT District 11, said the department has been working closely with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District regarding the upcoming U.S. 250 closure just north of the lake. He said it will reroute motorists traveling to the lake.

The recommended detour for those traveling U.S. 250 east is Ohio 800 south to U.S. 22 east, U.S. 22 east back to U.S. 250. For those traveling U.S. 250 west the detour is U.S. 22 west to Ohio 800 north, Ohio 800 north back to U.S. 250.

The project is set to be completed in October.

Craig Butler, executive director of the MWCD, thanked ODOT officials for including them in the project plans and acknowledged its impact on the lake’s business and others in the area.

“But in the long run we think it will be well worth it. We think it’s going to be a short-term impact for a permanent improvement to the area,” he said, adding that the project ultimately will help improve travel.

Butler said ODOT’s cooperation in reducing the amount of project time has meant a lot to the district; it originally was projected to take a month or so longer.

“That means a great deal to us as well as the region,” he said.

He also noted that campers using the park will have multiple options of detour routes so they can feel safe when traveling on the side roads.

Borell said the project is just one of dozens in the district — which includes Belmont, Harrison, Carrol, Columbiana, Holmes, Tuscarawas and Jefferson counties — to “take care of what we have.”

“We have a 103 total projects, and again this spreads out across our seven counties, but it’s general resurfacing, safety projects, we have a couple facility-type projects, and we have a lot of slide repairs, which is very common here in Eastern Ohio,” she said, adding that most of the projects begin in the summertime due to the weather conditions.

“A big factor in all our projects is the weather. We need, especially pavement temperatures, a lot of resurfacing projects will start up here in the coming weeks because those asphalt plants will be opening.”

In Belmont County, 34 projects will take place and will include a multitude of slide repairs, signal upgrades, bridge rehabilitations and repairs, resurfacing, and maintenance projects. Along with the work to U.S. 250, seven projects are slated to take place in Harrison County including slide repairs, bridge rehabilitations and preventive maintenance projects.

Though some of the impending roadway construction projects may disrupt motorists’ routes, Borell said it is all in the name of safer travel.

“We know certain projects can be an inconvenience to travel but we’re taking care of the roads and we’re making them safer which is very, very important, and we just ask that motorists have some patience, watch for our updates. We’re on the social media platforms — Facebook, Twitter, our website — you can check out what’s coming and you can subscribe to our weekly updates and be informed on what’s going on so you know what to expect,” she said.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority with these projects. Not only do we have our construction projects going on, but we’ve got our maintenance projects as well, so we really need folks to pay attention, put down the distraction and really watch their driving and take time driving through those work zones. Please watch for signs and be safe.”

Butler said ODOT’s mission is to provide safe and easy movement for residents when traveling from place to place.

“We strive daily to reach that goal by improving safety, taking care of what we have and making our system work better in its capacity,” he said.

Butler also spoke of distracted driving and encouraged residents to talk to family and friends about the importance of keeping eyes on the roads while behind the wheel.

“We are doing our part to make Ohio’s roads safer here at ODOT, and now is the time for all of us to come together and do the same. I challenge all of you to lead by example on this very important safety issue and do not drive distracted,” he said.

Dozens of people attended the event including representatives from each of the seven counties in the district, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and MWCD.