Ohio State Route 7 Reopens After Rockfall Cleanup

Ohio State Route 7 has reopened following a significant rockfall that closed the road at Mingo Junction. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon and required extensive efforts to clear the debris and ensure the road’s safety.

The Incident and Immediate Response

A routine blasting operation triggered the rockfall, part of an ongoing rockfall remediation project in the area. This particular blast caused more material to fall than expected, resulting in rocks blocking both lanes of State Route 7. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews immediately began working around the clock to remove the debris and restore the road.

Timeline of Cleanup Efforts

• July 25, 5 PM: Crews cleared the debris from the northbound lane and continued working on the southbound lane. They planned to inspect the pavement for damage and replace the barrier walls before reopening the road.

• July 25, 8 PM: The northbound lane was clear, and efforts were focused on the southbound lane. Crews worked overnight to ensure all debris was removed. They anticipated reopening the road by mid-afternoon on Friday, July 26th, barring any significant damage.

• July 25, 10 PM: Both directions were cleared of debris, and crews began inspecting the roadway for damage. Plans were made to replace the barrier wall on Friday.

• July 26, 6:30 AM: Both lanes were clear. The contractor spent the morning inspecting the pavement and making necessary repairs. The concrete barrier wall was expected to arrive mid-morning, with an estimated reopening by mid-afternoon.

• July 26, 11:30 AM: Crews swept the roadway and continued setting the portable concrete barrier wall, aiming to reopen the road by the afternoon.

• July 26, 2:30 PM: After approximately 26 hours of closure, State Route 7 reopened at Mingo Junction.

Looking Ahead

The swift response and tireless efforts of the ODOT crews ensured that State Route 7 was cleared and made safe for travel in a little over a day. The ongoing rockfall remediation project will continue, with measures in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.

State Route 7’s reopening marks a return to normalcy for the area, highlighting the importance of maintenance and safety operations on major roadways.