Xenia starts $817K traffic safety improvements

Construction on a new stop sign and traffic signal near Walmart in Xenia has started and is expected to take a year to complete. GABRIELLE ENRIGHT/STAFF

Construction on a new stop sign and traffic signal near Walmart in Xenia has started and is expected to take a year to complete. GABRIELLE ENRIGHT/STAFF

Construction has started on couple of traffic safety improvements in Xenia near Walmart that will reduce crashes and congestion, according to city officials.

The city will use a mix of federal and city funds totalling $817,000 to install a stop sign on the U.S. Route 35 east exit ramp near West Main Street and a traffic light in the Hospitality Drive and West Main Street area.

Construction is expected to take a year to complete.

The city initiated plans for the stop sign and traffic light after the West Main Street and Hospitality Drive intersection was identified as a problem area according to a three-year traffic study obtained by the city. The traffic study showed there were 30 crashes at the intersection; 80 percent of those crashes were rear-end collisions.

“Allowing people to turn left to turn left into Walmart and turn right at a signalling light will make it safer for everyone,” said Lee Warren, a city spokesman.

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