‘Dug Road’ to remained closed

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- You may have noticed that one Zanesville road has been closed for months, and that may not be changing anytime soon.

Muskingum Avenue, better known as ‘Dug Road,’ will remain closed without a set reopen date. The city is currently in the midst of a $3.7 million repaving project over 13.5 miles worth of roads on a budget that has already been set.

“Our budget is at the max right now so we’ve got to find a way of either borrowing the money or putting our for bonds or hopefully grants,” said Zanesville Mayor Jeff Tilton.

The estimated cost for the total repair of Muskingum Avenue is nearly $2 million. Mayor Tilton said the main concern for that part of the road is the dangerous falling rock. The lack of a buffer between the roadway and the hillside creates a potentially dangerous passage for travel.

“We’ve got to make it safe,” said Tilton. “That’s the only reason it’s closed. It [has] nothing to do with money or anything, it’s just that we need to make it safe. And until we can make it safe it will be closed.”

Tilton said the road will remain closed until they can find the funds to make it safe for travel.