By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
It’s out with the old and in with the new at the Crossroads Industrial Park. A groundbreaking was held at the eastern end of Crossroads Boulevard Monday afternoon for the new Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) facility that will be going in.
“This was a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new full-service facility here in Crawford County,” explained Jerry Wray, Director at the Ohio Department of Transportation. “It’s replacing a 50-year-old facility in Bucyrus. It’s where our workers work out of summer and winter. The idea is we need a modern, efficient, safe facility to provide for our folks so we can do an excellent job.”
As cars blew past on U.S. 30, Wray was joined by city and county officials as well as local ODOT employees. Shovels were thrust into the ground and Wray, a mischievous smile on his face, told everyone to throw their shovelful of dirt into the air for a celebratory picture.
“We want to be good neighbors,” Wray said. “We think we’re a big addition to the Crawford County community and what’s most important is that we provide a good place for our folks to work.”
“We’re glad you’re here,” Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser told Wray. “I’m really excited. It’s good for the community.”
County Commissioner Doug Weisenauer echoed Reser’s sentiments. “It’s good news for Crawford County.”
The new facility, which will move the local garage of ODOT from its home on West Irving Street in Bucyrus, will be 32,770 square feet. Spanning over 11 acres, the facility will include four outbuildings. The cost of the project is $6.6 million.