A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday for Phase 2 of the Chesapeake Bypass, which will connect Chesapeake to Proctorville and Rome Township.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation said the project will benefit those communities by providing a highway that will support future growth in the area, and it will address traffic congestion and improve mobility along the State Route 7 corridor.

The Chesapeake Bypass project has been ongoing for more than 20 years. Due to limited funding, the construction of this project is being completed in phases. 

Phase 1 included the construction of a new 4.7-mile, two-lane limited access highway from State Route 775 in Proctorville to existing State Route. 7 in Rome Township, as well as a connection between the 31st Street Bridge (East Huntington Bridge) and existing State Route 775 in Proctorville. Phase 1 was opened to traffic in 2006.

Phase 2 involves construction of the western half of the Chesapeake Bypass between the State Route 527/State Route 7 interchange in Chesapeake east to State Route 775 in Proctorville. Phase 2 is approximately 6 miles and includes the construction of a two-lane highway, with some four-lane sections and truck climbing lanes, as well as a full interchange at State Route. 775. 

Mikaela Bruning, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation, District 9, said tree clearing for that phase is complete.

Construction funding has been allocated for Phase 2 construction and is expected to begin in March 2025 and end in fall of 2028. 

Guests on hand for Tuesday’s groundbreaking included State Sen. Shane Wilkin, State Rep. Jason Stephens, Lawrence County commissioners DeAnna Holliday, Colton Copley and Mike Finley, Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation head Bill Dingus and Michael Dombrowski, district deputy director for the Ohio Department of Transportation — District 9.