I-75 Dayton construction question (Montgomery, Butler: rent, hotel, travel)

[BarryK123]

I expect to be in the Dayton area next month. I understand there's construction on I-75. Will there be any problem getting from DAY to downtown (ex. 53)? If so, can someone suggest an alternate route? I'll be staying at the Crowne Plaza on 5th St. TIA.

[Crew Chief]

Hi BarryK123! I-75 is under a MAJOR renovation which will eventually straighten out the very dangerous merge at OH Route 4 (Exit 54C) Honestly, traffic patterns change on a DAILY basis from just north of the U.S. 35 (Exit 52B) to yet another construction zone at the I-75/I-70 junction (Exit 61) Be prepared for sudden stops and lane closures every time you get on I-75. There is also major construction on I-70 between the I-75 junction and the I-675 interchange...) Some of the I-75 exits downtown have already been permanently closed and others will soon be closed or re-worked. Although I travel I-75 several times a day, I have to confess I hardly ever go downtown (or get off of I-75 there) so I'd better let someone who knows downtown well give you a better routing. It sounds like you may not even need to get on I-75 from your hotel to your destination off Exit 53 (A&B) Best of luck and welcome to Dayton!

[1+1=5]

I don't know of an alternate route, but my advice is to leave early, and pay attention when you're driving through the construction, since people tend to come to a complete stop from going 45 mph (for no apparent reason).

Good luck!

[Traveler87]

What exactly is going on down in Dayton? I noticed all the constrution down there last month. What is the plan for I-75 in that area?

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

What exactly is going on down in Dayton? I noticed all the constrution down there last month. What is the plan for I-75 in that area?

Traveler87, the construction is to make I-75 a more gradual curve at the OH 4 "Malfunction Junction" interchange. OH 4 will also have better on- and off ramps to I-75. Also, most of the exits in downtown will either be removed or aligned with I-75 so that entering & exiting the highway will be safer and easier. Should take several years to complete, though...

Also, OHio has gotten a fresh infusion of road construction money over the last few years, so I-75 is getting an additional lane (in both directions) from the Butler Regional Highway (OH 129) North to the Montgomery County line as I write this. Watch out when merging in that stretch of I-75!!!

[Ohiogirl81]

Fixing Malfunction Junction?!? Say it ain't so! It's a veritable landmark for heaven's sake!

I remember the first time my dad had to make that merge from 4 south to 75 south, upon our first visit to UD. You never heard such cussing. He complained for four years, and I'm certain he wasn't too unhappy that I didn't stay in Dayton after college!

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Fixing Malfunction Junction?!? Say it ain't so! It's a veritable landmark for heaven's sake!

I remember the first time my dad had to make that merge from 4 south to 75 south, upon our first visit to UD. You never heard such cussing. He complained for four years, and I'm certain he wasn't too unhappy that I didn't stay in Dayton after college!

Ohiogirl81, IF your dad can wait a few more years, he should be pleasantly suprised!!! Yes, all the shuffling across three lanes of traffic from an on-ramp to an off-ramp will be no more! The "artist's conception" shows a highway that will enable the average hot rodder or crotch rocket enthusiast to slow down only a little as they make their way past Route 4...

[Ohiogirl81]

Alas, Crew Chief, Dad has passed on to that big traffic jam in the sky.

Perhaps it was he who whispered a wee bit in the ears of ODOT to finally do something about Malfunction Junction! LOL

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Traveler87, the construction is to make I-75 a more gradual curve at the OH 4 "Malfunction Junction" interchange. OH 4 will also have better on- and off ramps to I-75. Also, most of the exits in downtown will either be removed or aligned with I-75 so that entering & exiting the highway will be safer and easier. Should take several years to complete, though...

Also, OHio has gotten a fresh infusion of road construction money over the last few years, so I-75 is getting an additional lane (in both directions) from the Butler Regional Highway (OH 129) North to the Montgomery County line as I write this. Watch out when merging in that stretch of I-75!!!

Thanks for the information. I noticed this big project a few weeks ago while in and around the Dayton area. Nice to hear more money for ODOT too.

[Teri L]

Is DAY the airport? If so, take US 40 east to Dixie Dr, and go south. Dixie becomes Keowee, which will take you to 5th St. (it's a city drive- lots of traffic lights). Turn right (west) on 5th St. and follow to the Crowne Plaza.

The good news is that you will be traveling against traffic. Welcome to Dayton!