LIMA, Ohio (Friday, Oct. 31, 2025) - The opening of an overpass on Independence Road over U.S. 24, just east of the city of Defiance, will set in motion the next phase of corridor safety improvements along U.S. 24.

A newly-constructed overpass on Independence Road over U.S. 24 in Defiance County is expected to open on or around Friday, Nov. 14. Following the opening, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Defiance County maintenance crews will immediately barricade the median crossovers on U.S. 24 at both Jewell and Flory roads.

Within the same week, the following will occur:

• Jewell Road will be converted to right-in right-out on the east side of U.S 24. The west side will be barricaded with no access to U.S. 24.
• Flory Road will be converted to right-in right-out on the west side of U.S. 24. The east side will be barricaded with no access to U.S. 24.

ODOT and the Defiance County Engineer will coordinate in the future to remove pavement and install permanent infrastructure, such as fencing, to complete the access changes on U.S. 24 at Jewell and Flory roads.

The remaining work needed to open the new overpass includes grooving and correcting the bridge surface, placing fence on parapet walls, sealing concrete, placing guardrail, paving the surface course of asphalt, and placing center and edge line striping.

The work is part of a series of U.S. 24 Corridor Safety Improvementsin Defiance and Henry counties. A central component is construction of a traditional diamond interchange at U.S. 24 and 17D in Henry County which is expected to be complete in late 2026.