Further detailed review and consideration of public comments as well as reduction in environmental impacts and environmental engineering has resulted in a refined ODOT recommended alignment for the Wilmington Bypass Project.

The new alignment begins west of Mitchell Road and continues east crossing Nelson Avenue, US 68, SR 135, Prairie Road and turns south and will overpass the CSX Railroad and Rombach Avenue, then tie into existing SR 73 south of Airborne.

The alignment is the same as the previous ODOT recommended alignment shown at the May 2005 public meeting, but incorporates the following changes to Mitchell Road:  a tighter curve at the beginning of the project, an at-grade intersection at Mitchell Road, and eliminates the connector to existing SR 73.

An open house public meeting was held Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at the County Annex building located at 111 South Nelson Avenue.  Those that live in the immediate area were encouraged to come in anytime between 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. to review the revised plans and provide input during the decision making process.