T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Ohio Department of Transportation District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell, left, and District 11 Office Professional Ashlee Copp visit the Blaine Hill Bridge, which will soon undergo repairs.

BLAINE — After nearly a year, the Blaine Hill Bridge project will go out for bid on April 21, with construction projected to begin in May.

Completion of the repair and rehabilitation project is expected by early summer 2026.

The work originally was scheduled to begin in 2027, but a public outcry about the safety hazards and inconveniences caused by its closure led ODOT to move up that timeline.

“​​Funding is secured for this project. Furthermore, ODOT has proactively pursued several federal grants to enhance funding opportunities, including a Bridge Investment Program grant and a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant,” ODOT’s website states regarding the progress of the project.

ODOT is also working on 21 other projects within Belmont County. ODOT District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell said Belmont County has the most projects of any county in the entire district.

“Belmont County is the largest populated county out of all seven of our counties, so there tends to be more projects in this county,” she said during a visit to Blaine Monday. ” And this year we do have our typical projects going on, but there’s also a lot of exciting stuff in development. For one thing, the State Route 149/I-70 interchange, that’s exit 208. And we are doing a study right now for an interchange improvement, and that includes widening of State Route 149 and then redoing the bridges on I-70 as well, and some work on the ramps. And we might see that work start as soon as this coming fall. But if not, it will start in the beginning of 2026.”

According to a press release from ODOT, all of its projects in Belmont County will cost a total of $68,619,000 once completed.

The 22 projects are:

U.S. 40 Blaine Bridge Rehabilitation

I-70 Interchange Improvement Study

National Road Tunnel Rehabilitation Project Bike Facility in the city of St. Clairsville

Ohio 7 Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation

Belmont County Courthouse Campus Improvements

Various state and U.S. routes Resurfacing in Belmont County

Barnesville Trail Bike Facility

I-70 Concrete Repairs

I-70 and I-470 Interstate Signage Upgrades

Ohio 7 Resurfacing

Belmont County Road 4 Bridge Repair

Ohio 149 Culvert Repair

Ohio 7 Slide Repair

Ohio 647 Slide Repair

Belmont County Road 5 Resurfacing

Ohio 148 Slide Repair

Ohio 379 Slide Repair

St. Clairsville – Sugar Street Resurfacing

Ohio 7 Bridge Repair

Ohio 149 Slide Repair

I-70 Culvert Repair

Ohio 7 Roadside Improvement

Borrell said that in addition to the 22 projects, there will be two upcoming projects that have yet to be announced that will bring the total of ODOT projects in Belmont County to 24.

“This is a time that we like to highlight our construction year, but also, more importantly, remind folks that it’s really important to be watching for those folks working out there. Not only are we going to have our construction projects going in full force, but our maintenance crews will be out as well. In fact, they’re already out mowing and everything. Please watch for those folks. Slow down, move over and give them room to work. And especially pay attention.

“If you’re not paying attention, you’re not going to see them. And we need them to be safe out there. And of course, we want the motorists to get home safe as well,” Borelll said.

As well as the 22 projects taking place in Belmont County, ODOT is launching a $3.2 billion construction season, which includes 955 projects, 38 of them considered “major” with a value above $10 million, across the state.

In the Eastern Ohio region, construction will begin on 93 new projects for an investment of $168 million. This year’s construction program includes 34 safety improvements and district-wide projects, 30 bridge projects, 22 pavement projects and seven slide repair projects.

“This year we will see a very significant investment in our transportation infrastructure — one that will improve safety, reduce traffic fatalities, and keep people and goods moving efficiently,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said. “Every project we break ground on is a step toward a stronger, safer, and more connected future for Ohio.”