Springfield plans to upgrade I-70/72 ‘AB Graham gateway’ after $750,000 grant

Aug. 13 — A key gateway in south Springfield will get an upgrade after the state Legislature approved $750,000 in the state capital budget for the project.

The Springfield City Manager’s office said work will take place on the interchange between Interstate 70 and Ohio 72 (South Limestone Street) later this year and will honor AB Graham for his contributions and legacy to Springfield.

AB Graham, a native of Champaign County, was an Ohio agricultural educator who founded the 4-H youth development program in 1902.

This road beautification and interchange in his honor will include improved landscaping, paving and other hardscape features honoring both Graham and 4H, according to the city.

There are no blueprints of the project yet, as the city is still working on the design of the project. This project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, and completion of this project is now set for late 2025.

“We have an AB Graham building and an AB Graham statue, but this will bring more attention to the south side of town,” said state representative Bernard Willis. “I think it’s a highlight for the Southern Corridor and to highlight that Springfield is the home of 4H.

The city received $750,000 from an earlier state capital budget process, making a total of $1.5 million available for the city to use for this I-70/72 interchange project.

The effort to beautify the I-70-Ohio 72 interchange has been at least eight years in the making, as the News-Sun reported in 2016 that local leaders were seeking $3 million in federal funds to create a themed interchange there. At the time, city officials said it would improve safety and beautify one of the city’s most important gateways.

Willis cited concerns about the capital budget process, saying the memorial was not considered the highest-priority financial request as the city was trying to get money for the Springfield Sports and Wellness Center.

That indoor sports facility for downtown Springfield took a significant step closer to reality with the July passage of the state budget, which included $4 million for the Champion City Sports & Wellness Center.

“It was very sad that the whole process was interrupted to ask for this money,” Willis said, “it certainly wasn’t in the order that we originally asked for it.”