Ohio Department of Transportation Dist 6 Heliport

While no official reason has been published, the closure was most likely due to a combination of economic factors and technological obsolescence. The operational costs of maintaining a heliport and utilizing helicopters for inspection are high. The rise of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS/drones) provided a more cost-effective, efficient, and safer alternative for the tasks the heliport supported, such as infrastructure inspection and aerial surveying. The Ohio Department of Transportation now has a robust drone program, rendering single-purpose district heliports largely redundant.

The physical helipad, a circular asphalt pad, still exists on the grounds of the ODOT District 6 Headquarters at 400 E William St, Delaware, OH. It is located in a grassy area just east of the main office building. However, the site is no longer operational as a heliport. The painted 'H' and other markings are extremely faded, and the area is not maintained for aviation purposes. It is now effectively just a feature of the office's lawn.

The Ohio Department of Transportation Dist 6 Heliport was a private-use facility located at the ODOT District 6 headquarters. Its purpose was to support transportation operations throughout Central Ohio. It handled helicopter takeoffs and landings for official state business, including: aerial inspection of highways and bridges, surveillance of traffic incidents and congestion, damage assessment during emergencies like floods or severe weather, and transportation for engineers and officials to project sites. It was a functional tool for infrastructure management before the widespread adoption of drone technology.

There are no known plans or public prospects for reopening the heliport. Given the state's investment in and successful integration of drone technology for the very tasks the heliport once facilitated, it is highly improbable that the facility will be reactivated. It is considered permanently closed.