The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the US will seek around $68m to upgrade a 6.8-mile-long stretch through Clark County, as well as widen the road to allow easy movement of traffic, reduce congestion and increase user safety.

The department will submit a proposal seeking over $26m to add a third lane in each direction from Enon Road to US 68 on I-70, which will be constructed in 2014, and $42m to upgrade the section from US 68 to Ohio 72 in 2016.

ODOT district 7 deputy director Randy Chevalley was quoted by Dayton Daily News as saying that the department’s goal is to havesix lanes all the way through Clark County.

"But it’s just a matter of getting the designs ready and getting plans ready so that when the dollars come, we will have everything we need to get started," Chevalley added.

Ohio Greater Springfield Commerce Chamber president and CEO Mike McDorman said that widening the highway to a six-lane route will attract business and develop the economy.

"Safety is number 1, but it’s critical for economic development. Transportation is one of the most important elements in attracting businesses," McDorman added.

"We’re in a great location, but we need to get that stretch widened so there aren’t bottlenecks from here to the state line and from here to Columbus."

The department has finished adding a lane on each side between US 40 and Ohio 72 on I-70, and is now looking for additional finances to widen other sections of the interstate highway.