Milan Road Overpass Opened in May of 1969

The Milan Road overpass and Butler Street ramp opened in late May 1969. Pictured above is an aerial view of the overpass and surrounding area, taken by photographer Thomas Root just before its completion in 1969. Sandusky city leaders began plans for the overpass in 1965, due to traffic congestion which took place every summer as tourists poured in to visit Cedar Point.  

An article in the Sandusky Register of September 30, 1969 described the three phases of the project. Phase one was the widening and paving of Perkins Avenue up to the south end of the overpass. Phase two was the construction of the overpass and Butler Street ramp. Phase three was the widening and paving of Milan Road from the overpass to Sycamore Line, and Sycamore Line to Cleveland Road. Several pictures that were taken in 1967, during the construction phase of the overpass project are housed in the collection of historical photographs at the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center. Below is a picture of the New York Central railroad crossing on Milan Road and Parish Street before the overpass was built.

       

The Buckeye Body Shop was located at Milan Road near Butler Street in the early 1960s.

  

There were two gas stations near the intersection of Milan Road and Sycamore Line in 1967.

                   

An article which appeared in the May 29, 1969 issue of the Sandusky Register reported that the Milan Road bypass would be open at midnight that night.