The Ohio Department of Transportation is finishing a resurfacing job on U.S. 23 in Clay Township and is restoring traffic in all four lanes.

The work extends from just north of the U.S. 23 overhead at Scioto County 160 and Feurt Hill Road to the northern corporation limit of Portsmouth.

“Most of the barrels are gone, but a few remain,” ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Kathleen Fuller said. “We're mostly doing finishing up work, like mulching and seeding that the people wouldn't notice much.”

The work should be completely finished by Thursday, she said.

ODOT started the $4.6 million project in the spring after awarding the contract to Shelly Construction of Thornville.

Besides resurfacing the roadway, workers replaced some guard rail sections, fixed some drainage issues and improved the medium.

Crews are continuing with joint work at the bridges and are working on the shoulder of the road, requiring periodic lane closures in the north and southbound lanes.

Additionally, a 10-mph speed limit reduction remains in effect in the construction zone.

“That will stay in effect until we remove all the barrels and signs,” Fuller said.

However, ODOT has ended a 10-foot width restriction in the road.

“So the concrete barriers are gone now,” Fuller said.

ODOT also reopened both lanes of traffic on U.S. 23 in Piketon between U.S. 32 and Centrifuge Circle at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

The Shelly-Sands Construction Company of Zanesville was awarded the $4 million contract for that repaving job.

Construction started in February.

The ramp leading into the plant from U.S. 23 will remain closed indefinitely, however.

That's because the United States Enrichment Corp. wants to upgrade the security portals leading into the plant, according to USEC spokesman Jack Williams.

While the entrance is closed, traffic must enter the plant at the U.S. 32/Shyville Road entrance.