The state of Ohio is working on plans to widen I-75 in Hancock County, and to do that they're going to need some land. Bob Giaimo is a part of the project's land acquisition group, and tells the Courier appraisers started meeting with property owners along the interstate this month. He says the state has to prove they need to buy the land, and is required to pay as much as a willing buyer would on the open market. Any price disputes would be handled in the Hancock County Common Pleas Court.
The project is expected to start in 2017. I-75 would be widened to three lanes from just south of the U.S. 68 / State Route 15 interchange to north of the County Road 99 exit. The grassy median will be used in areas south and north of the city, but in areas where there is a concrete barrier more land will be needed to expand the highway. The project also includes the redesign of the U.S. 68 / State Route 15 interchange.
