(Road Work - Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

MARIETTA — Rock blasting will begin soon at the site of an Ohio Department of Transportation project on Interstate 77 in Washington County.

The rockfall mitigation project began in October and is expected to be completed at the end of 2025. It’s taking place between Macksburg in Washington County and Dexter City in Noble County.

Rock blasting is expected to begin northbound the week of Dec. 3 and occur intermittently for one month.

When blasting is taking place, northbound and southbound traffic on I-77 will be stopped for up to 15 minutes at a time. Additional blasting will take place southbound in mid-2025.

A public meeting regarding the blasting operations will be 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Noble County ODOT Garage, 17229 Hunkadora Road, Caldwell.

For those unable to access the meeting, additional information can be obtained by contacting Ashley Rittenhouse, public information officer for ODOT District 10, at 740-568-3904.