ODOT: Crews take advantage of mild temperatures to get ahead of schedule on road projects

CINCINNATI - Warm winter temperatures don't just feel good.

They're good news for area construction crews.

Projects around the state are moving along, some even ahead of schedule.

"Several of our projects have continued to work through the winter months. Depending on the operation that needs to be done, they've been able to do that," explained Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson Sharon Smigielski.

ODOT has two projects that are benefiting from the Spring like temperatures.

Construction has continued on the replacement of the bridge at I-74 over State Route 128 in Miamitown.

ODOT is also continuing work on US 42 in Butler County where they're widening the lanes.

Smigielski says another plus from the mild temperatures are fewer pot holes.

"There hasn't been the continuous cycle of freeze and thaw contributing to the formation of potholes on our roadways. That's been an added plus to this mild winter," Smigielski said.

The director of Cincinnati's Engineering and Traffic Department Michael Moore says he would have taken better advantage of the weather by scheduling additional projects if he had known the weather would be so nice.

However, he says workers are enjoying the unseasonable weather because they're not working so hard to stay warm.

"We had a demolition project for a skywalk over the weekend. They did a lot of work. It's just so much easier when your fingers aren't frozen and trying to pick up materials," Moore said.