New Overpass on Independence Road Set to Open as U.S. 24 Safety Upgrades Continue

Defiance, Ohio — A major milestone in the ongoing U.S. 24 Corridor Safety Improvement Plan is about to be reached with the opening of a new overpass on Independence Road in Defiance County. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the overpass — located just east of Defiance — is scheduled to open around Friday, November 14. This project marks another step in ODOT’s effort to enhance safety along the busy U.S. 24 corridor through Defiance and Henry counties.

Median Crossovers at Jewell and Flory Roads to Close

Once the overpass opens, ODOT Defiance County maintenance crews will begin implementing the next phase of traffic modifications. Median crossovers on U.S. 24 at Jewell Road and Flory Road will be permanently closed.

During this transition:

Jewell Road will become right-in/right-out only on the east side of U.S. 24, while its west side will be completely closed to highway access.
Flory Road will be limited to right-in/right-out access on the west side, with no entry or exit from the east.

ODOT is working closely with the Defiance County Engineer’s Office to carry out permanent infrastructure changes, including removing unnecessary pavement and installing fencing at restricted access points.

Final Construction Touches Underway

Before the new overpass opens, crews must complete several final construction tasks:

Grooving and leveling the bridge surface
Sealing the concrete
Installing fencing along parapet walls
Placing guardrails
Applying the final asphalt layer
Striping the roadway’s center and edge lines

Part of a Larger Regional Safety Initiative

The Independence Road overpass is one component of ODOT’s multi-year U.S. 24 Corridor Safety Improvements project, which spans both Defiance and Henry counties. Among the upcoming projects is a traditional diamond interchange at U.S. 24 and State Route 17D in Henry County, expected to be completed by late 2026.

These ongoing upgrades aim to enhance driver safety, reduce crash risks, and improve overall traffic flow along one of northwest Ohio’s most heavily traveled routes. With each completed phase, ODOT continues working toward a safer, more efficient highway system for motorists across the region.

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