Fraley and Schilling Trucking Co. in Brilliant was the backdrop Tuesday as the Ohio Department of Transportation kicked off the 2012 construction season. Officials said the reason they chose the local company is because a reliable transportation system is the lifeblood of Ohio's economy, and the future for economic growth and job creation.

"Our projects have an effect on the local economy" said ODOT District 11 Deputy Director Lloyd Macadams. "This is a major trucking company right along Route 7. It's important we keep this open at all times."

Fraley and Schilling operations manager Rich Ferguson said Route 7 is a highway the company can't live without. "We're certainly glad to see they're taking on some major project on what's become a nagging problem."

The nagging problem is the crumbling hillside along SR 7 in Brilliant.  The hillside began falling in March 2011. The $34 million repair project is about to enter phase two this summer.  Two million cubic yards of excavation will come down off the hillside.

"That's equivalent to taking a football field and putting 40 feet of excavated material on top of it. That's how deep and wide this would be," said Macadams.

The landslide repair project will last at least another year. It's in the top 2% of the largest construction projects in Ohio.