Strickland said the upgrade will give the Dayton region “a strategic advantage” in becoming a center for logistics and distribution at the Dayton International Airport. Airport officials have discussed with regional partners extending an old rail line, which currently ends on the east side of I-75 in Vandalia, over to the airport.
“When the interchange is coupled with the CSX rail line and the old UPS air freight facility at the airport, we will have all the makings for a successful multi-modal logistics and distribution center,” Strickland told more than 150 people who gathered under a tent in a parking lot along Poe Avenue, where the interchange was visible in the background.
With more than 150 construction workers employed during the height of construction, the Ohio Department of Transportation project included 16 new bridges and a new railroad overpass, the widening of four local roads and rebuilding of eight ramps.
That included development of the Benchwood/Wyse roads exit on I-75, the Brown School Road bridge over I-70 to the east and the Dixie Drive bridge to the west, said Denise Heitkamp, spokeswoman for ODOT’s District 7 office.
Strickland noted the interchange, located in both Butler Twp. and Vandalia, is known as the Crossroads of America because both interstates are among the most heavily traveled in the country. Approximately 154,000 vehicles pass through it daily.
“From Ohio, you are just a day’s drive from 60 percent of America’s population and for many that journey goes through that interchange,” he said.
Completion comes as the American Automobile Association projects a 1.4 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel this year, although fewer people will travel by air due to budget concerns, reduced airline capacity and added charges.
The number of automobile travelers is expected to increase 2.1 percent to 33.2 million, while air travel is projected to decline 6.7 percent, or 2.3 million travelers.
“The economy certainly plays a huge role,” said Linda Hughes, an airport spokeswoman.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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