Long-awaited Austin Interchange project promises economic boost

Ty Greenlees/The Ohio Department of Transportation hosted a ground breaking for the $48-million Austin Boulevard project at I-75 on Monday, April 20. Over 100 local politicians and civic leaders from Miamisburg, Miami Twp., Springboro, the State of Ohio and the U.S. Congress who collaborated on on the interchange attended. The removal of the old bridge over I-75 has already begun.

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By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer Updated 12:17 AM Tuesday, April 21, 2009

With construction of the Austin Interchange finally under way, attention is shifting to the economic development the interchange is expected to bring to the region — something that local, state and federal officials and businesses have banked on.

“This project is about jobs,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Turner. “It’s not just the jobs that will be created by the construction work. We’re going to get an exciting place to redevelop and offer people to bring their businesses and retain businesses.”

Completion of the interchange is expected to open hundreds of acres for new development and improve access to Interstate 75 for existing businesses. For that reason, Turner said the interchange will provide a significant advantage in competing for businesses in the tri-state region.

The total project cost is $48.8 million, with $22 million for construction of the actual interchange.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is funding $20 million of the project, and Gov. Ted Strickland announced that it is receiving $6 million in federal stimulus funds, said ODOT Director Jolene Molitoris.

Ohio Sen. Jon Husted described the Monday, April 20, groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction as “a long time coming.”

“Remember why we are all doing this,” he said. “Yes, transportation safety is a big part of it, but it was about the local economy.”

The interchange is part of the region’s overall economic development plan, which includes helping Dayton’s outlying communities and the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, said Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Foley, who also pointed to the cooperation of all jurisdictions involved — specifically, Miamisburg, Miami Twp. and Springboro.

“We want to attract new businesses, but we’re also doing this to shore up and help those businesses that have already invested in the southern part of Montgomery County,” Foley said.

Miamisburg Mayor Dick Church said the interchange will serve as a gateway into the city and its Mound Advanced Technology Center. He said some 10,000 to 30,000 jobs are expected in the coming decades as a result of the project.

Construction is expected to last through August 2010.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-9338 or kmcallister@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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