Sept 8. 2025
By Rachel Scofield

The intersection of State Route 204 and Milnor Road closed Sept. 8, as part of an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) project to improve traffic flow and safety.

“We’re making key safety and capacity improvements at the intersection of State Route 204 and Milnor Road in Fairfield County,” said Chas Cosgrave, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 5. “This includes adding a dedicated westbound left-turn lane as well as rebuilding the traffic signal to help traffic move more efficiently and safely through the intersection.”

According to Cosgrave, the project stems from safety concerns. “Between 2016 and 2018, there were 17 crashes at this intersection, over a third of those involved injuries, most being rear-end collisions,” he said. “By adding a dedicated left-turn lane, we can reduce the risk of those types of crashes by separating turning vehicles from through traffic. These improvements will ease congestion, reduce crashes, and improve safety and traffic movement for everyone using the intersection.”

The closure is expected to last approximately 50 days.

During construction, traffic will follow a posted detour: SR 204 → SR 256 → I-70 → SR 310 → back to SR 204. Drivers may also choose local alternatives such as Harmon, Refugee, and Pickerington Roads, though these routes will not be officially marked as detours. s.

Cosgrave noted that construction schedule was driven by logistics.

“The timing was coordinated around the delivery schedule for critical traffic signal components,” he said. “Starting the work in September ensures that the equipment will be on hand and ready for installation as soon as the roadway improvements are completed. This approach helps us stay within the planned construction window and avoid unnecessary delays or extended closures.”