The $12.6 million project included widening U.S. 40 to five lanes from just west of Union Airpark Boulevard to Airport Access Road, and upgrading the interchange at U.S. 40 and Airport Access Road. It also included water and sewer line improvements.
“By increasing the number of lanes on the roadway from three to five, we are also increasing the security of the people who live in this community,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge. “This expansion reduces the traffic congestion this area of the county has seen in recent years.”
The area near the airport has been a growing logistics hub over the last decade, which led to a significant increase in truck traffic. It now includes Procter and Gamble, Spectrum Brands, Chewy, Crocs, Purina and other big companies. The Transportation Improvement District said the growth has resulted in more than 6,500 new jobs, with more growth anticipated in the years to come.
“We truly believe the expansion of this stretch of road will boost our local economy,” said Montgomery County Commission President Carolyn Rice. “We believe it will also increase the appeal of the county for logistics, manufacturing and distribution companies due to increased access, trusted infrastructure and our talented workforce.”
Officials said in 2020 at the start of the project that it would help the local area through the COVID-sparked downturn by providing the infrastructure needed to support good-paying jobs.
“This is just one of the strategic investments the county has made to attract logistics, manufacturing, and distribution companies to our community,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman. “And while paving the way for new development, we have a trained and ready workforce available to meet the demands of the corporations that call Montgomery County home.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation paid for most of the project, and grants from other state agencies and commitments from local governments helped pay for the rest.
“Over the years, MCTID has worked with multiple municipalities on other improvement projects to help bring new investment to Montgomery County and to prepare and support the regional roadway network for economic growth,” said Crystal Corbin, executive director of the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District. “The U.S. 40 project and surrounding roadway network improvements are a great example of how infrastructure investment works hand-in-hand with economic development.”
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