The intersection located west of the Interstate 75 interchange with West Main Street (also known as Ohio 41) is at capacity and congested, Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director, told the council committee Jan. 13. Either a roundabout or expansion of the intersection is needed to deal with the volume of traffic, he said.
The city was notified by ODOT that the additional feasibility study work following the Ohio Analysis and Traffic Simulation manual is required before design of a project can begin, said Jill Rhoades, city engineer.
“ODOT is requesting the city to evaluate the intersection and corridor with a different traffic analysis software than was originally used, as well as completing some early design tasks such as environmental review and a public meeting prior to finalizing the recommended intersection alternative,” Rhoades said via email this week.
The consultants during a 2023 public meeting listed the following as advantages of roundabouts:
- operate more efficiently with fewer delays during peak hours;
- future-proof with ability to handle additional traffic volumes;
- reduce frequency and severity of rear-end and angle crashes.
Traffic signals, the consultants wrote, mean more delays, more turn lanes and more pavement to maintain.
Here are some remaining questions about the project:
- Is the roundabout definitely going to happen? This has not been determined.
- Who makes that decision? ODOT would decide because it recommends whether federal grant dollars can/should be spent on the project.
- What are the next steps? Completion of the feasibility study and initially contracted design work (also to be done by AmericanStructurepoint) for up to $500,000.
- What is the estimated cost? In late 2023, the estimated cost was discussed at $4.2 million for either option. The project estimate now was put at $6 million to $7 million.
- What are the sources of funding? The city in 2024 was awarded $2.5 million toward project construction. Other sources could include city funds, dollars from its Tax Increment Financing fund and possible additional grants.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
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