ODOT Changes Gears On St. Rt. 772 Slide Project

Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Chillicothe) – A project to remediate an existing slide on S.R. 772 in Ross County will be wrapping up earlier than planned, and without some of the more significant impacts to motorists in the area.

The project began earlier this year, and has involved excavation and benching back of the existing hillside above S.R. 772 where it runs along Ralston Run, between Bishop Hill Road and Rinehart Road. As work on the project has progressed, additional movement in the hillside has prompted a reevaluation of the site, and ODOT District 9 Capital Programs Staff have determined that a more extensive repair will be needed to permanently remediate the slide.

“As a result of a very wet Spring and Summer, additional instabilities in the hillside would require expanding the scope of work well beyond the project’s original area, as well as making changes to the project design,” said Chris Pridemore, District 9 Capital Programs Administrator. 

Because of the time needed to modify the project’s original design and the increase in cost due to the expanded scope of work, District 9’s Capital Programs staff have determined the long term interests of the public will be best served by pursuing a new project to complete a permanent repair at a later date. 

“The current project has been successful in stabilizing the area immediately above the roadway and is an effective short term repair that we can maintain for 3-5 years, allowing us the time we need to plan, develop, and fund a permanent solution for this location.” Pridemore continued.

A separate project to address an existing slide affecting the road surface of S.R. 772 remains on schedule and will begin construction in the upcoming weeks, and will require an extended full closure of S.R. 772 to complete.

The contractor on the current project, Allard Excavation, will be completing remaining work by the end of August.