State Extends US 22 Bridge Closure West of Amanda Through Mid-October

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced an extension of the full closure of U.S. Route 22 over Clear Creek west of Amanda, shifting the scheduled reopening by 15 days from Oct. 2 to Oct. 17, 2026. The change, recorded in updated state work zone records, affects a primary east-west route connecting Lancaster and Circleville across southwestern Fairfield County.

Crews closed the 0.12-mile stretch of Cincinnati-Zanesville Road on May 26, 2026, to begin replacing the aged bridge structure. While work zone tracking feeds now list an automated reopening date of Oct. 17, agency advisories announced that the roadway is expected to reopen in late fall 2026. Official records mark the October reopening date as unverified, as asphalt paving, concrete curing, and striping remain subject to autumn weather conditions.

Regional Detour via State Route 188 and US 33

The prolonged shutdown creates extended travel times for commuters, school traffic, and commercial freight carriers hauling goods between Fairfield and Pickaway counties. Because the closure blocks all through traffic over Clear Creek, ODOT established an official regional detour along state highways.

According to regional transportation notices, the signed detour directs westbound motorists to travel from U.S. 22 to State Route 674, north to State Route 188, east to U.S. Route 33, and back to U.S. 22. Eastbound drivers must follow the identical route in reverse.

The official detour route adds roughly 10 miles to travel between Amanda and Lancaster, diverting traffic toward the northern bypass and increasing congestion along U.S. 33 during morning and evening rush hours. Local emergency services and agricultural freight haulers have relied on township and county roads to maneuver around the active construction zone.

Bridge Replacement Scope and Budget

The construction work forms part of project FAI US 22 03.68, cataloged under PID 115691 in ODOT District 5's bridge preservation program. Regional planning documents approved by the Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization show the project involves the complete replacement of structure SFN 2300095 (FAI-22-0375) with new structure SFN 2300096 (FAI-22-0374).

The crossing is located approximately 0.45 miles east of the U.S. 22 and Leist Road intersection. Planning records in the CORPO Fiscal Years 2026–2029 Transportation Improvement Program report a total project cost estimate of $1,717,794.

Public finance schedules detail $1,610,000 in construction funding programmed for fiscal year 2026. That construction total combines $1,224,000 from dedicated bridge preservation funds, $306,000 in state revenue, and $80,000 for state labor. An additional $40,000 covers right-of-way expenses, split evenly between $20,000 expended in prior fiscal years and $20,000 programmed in 2026.

Contractor and Milestone Status

ODOT District 5 is the sponsoring and administering agency for the bridge project. In public planning records and state TIP feeds, the prime construction vendor remains unlisted, as contracts administered through centralized state lettings are tracked under separate construction project agreements.

With the automated reopening target moved to mid-October, the full corridor closure will span nearly five full months. ODOT announced that drivers should continue following posted signs and prepare for ongoing detours until the replacement structure opens to two-way traffic later this fall.