By 1812Blockhouse
As 2025 closed, the Ohio Department of Transportation took a few minutes to pause, reflect, and then do what it does best: look down the road. The year-end edition of The Loop offered a brisk tour through a year defined by urgency, scale, and the sometimes unpredictable nature of life on Ohio’s highways.
Hosted by Matt Bruning and Renee DeFord, the episode opened with a reminder that the year began under pressure. Crews were still working to restore the I-471 approach to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge in Cincinnati after a fire damaged the structure in late 2024. That vital link reopened just 100 days later, setting the tone for a year marked by fast response and heavy demands.
You can view the episode below.
Winter realities and roadside risks
Winter did not ease those demands. By season’s end, ODOT crews had traveled more than 9.1 million miles, spreading nearly 770,000 tons of salt and more than 16 million gallons of liquid deicer. Those numbers came with a sobering statistic: more than 120 crews were struck by vehicles in work zones during the year.
One of those incidents, involving Hancock County worker Andy Shively, put a human face on a problem ODOT continues to stress. His close call reinforced a message that will not change in 2026: move over, slow down, and pay attention. It is not a slogan. It is a safety requirement.
A construction season unlike any other
When spring arrived, it did not bring a slowdown. ODOT launched its largest construction season on record, delivering 955 projects valued at $3.2 billion. Major milestones were reached across the state, including work on the downtown ramp-up in Columbus and the State Route 8 High Level Bridge and Central Interchange in Akron.
Three new diverging diamond interchanges opened during the year, two in northwest Ohio and one in the northeast, reflecting an ongoing push to improve traffic flow and reduce crash risk at busy interchanges. Together, these projects represented more than concrete and steel. They were direct investments in safety and the state’s economy.
Big bridges, long timelines
No project loomed larger than the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor in Cincinnati. During the summer, ODOT unveiled the final design for the new companion bridge, featuring two independently supported decks on a cable-stayed structure. It marked a major milestone in one of the most significant transportation projects in the country.
Elsewhere, preservation took center stage in eastern Ohio. In Belmont County, the Blaine Hill Bridge reached several key milestones in a project designed to keep the historic structure in service for decades to come. It was a reminder that progress sometimes means careful stewardship, not replacement.
When the unexpected goes viral
Not all of the year’s moments were planned. OHGO traffic cameras captured scenes that quickly turned into teachable moments, including a driver who stopped in the middle of I-71 near downtown Columbus after missing an exit, triggering a multi-vehicle crash before driving away. The footage spread widely, picked up by media outlets around the world.
And then there was Marigold. The cow that escaped onto I-270 in Hilliard briefly shut down part of the interstate during the afternoon commute. It was eventually resolved without harm, but not before becoming one of the year’s most memorable reminders that highways intersect with real life in unexpected ways.
Planning ahead, ending on a human note
Looking forward, ODOT highlighted a major initiative announced by Governor Mike DeWine and Director Pam Boratyn to add more than 1,400 truck parking spaces across 33 existing ODOT properties statewide. With truck parking shortages affecting safety nationwide, the move signals a practical, near-term response.
The episode closed on a quieter, more personal story. After stopping at an I-70 rest area in Belmont County, William Hull realized he had lost his wedding ring. ODOT staff tracked it down and returned it just before Christmas, reuniting a couple married for more than 60 years with a small but deeply meaningful piece of their history.
Looking toward 2026
The Loop also marked its tenth year on the air, with a few lighthearted moments mixed in, including some friendly rivalry between the hosts. But the larger message was clear. From emergency repairs and historic construction seasons to safety campaigns and small acts of kindness, 2025 was a year that demanded attention at every scale. As ODOT turns toward 2026, the themes are familiar but no less urgent: safety, resilience, and keeping Ohio moving, no matter what the road brings next.
Image by Skentophyte from Pixabay
