The Ohio Department of Transportation expects construction on the U.S. 35 superstreet project to start in the spring or summer of next year.
Shakertown widened, to be realigned with Factory Road
This past spring’s heavy rainfall caused the farm field where Shakertown will be extended to get too soft for the large equipment to be used on the project, according to Nick Smith, assistant city engineer in Beavercreek.
“We have a lot of really big equipment that will get stuck if it gets too wet,” Smith said. “That’s held up some of the work that has to be done. We do have a lot of fill dirt with that. We have to make sure the moisture is not too wet. The ground gets spongy.”
The intersection at Shakertown and U.S. 35 will be closed as a new section of the road is built through the field near that intersection and extended to meet Factory and Alpha-Bellbrook.
Approximately 3,600 vehicles travel on Shakertown and about 1,600 travel on Alpha-Bellbrook every day, according to city records.
“That’s part of the reason we want to have this construction in conjunction or ahead of the 35 superstreet project to make sure that alternate is available while construction is going on for the 35 superstreet,” Smith said.
Once Shakertown is realigned and extended, traffic lights will be installed at Factory and on Alpha-Bellbrook.
“It will be a big adjustment,” Smith said. “We will have roads that will be closed permanently with new traffic patterns and signals that will be put up. I think everyone is excited to have another route to get from Factory to Shakertown, which will eventually get you to North Fairfield Road besides just going on to 35.”
ODOT did some survey and preparatory work earlier this year on the estimated $15 million U.S. 35 superstreet project, construction of which is on schedule, according to ODOT spokeswoman Mandi Dillon.
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Dillon said the project is currently in the design phase. The plan is to install u-turns at Orchard Lane and Factory Road. Drivers traveling from Factory or Orchard to cross U.S. 35 won’t be able to go straight through without turning right and making a U-turn.
“It allows drivers to go up and make a u-turn to complete a left turn movement,” Dillon said. “This is a safer option many times than a left turn at the intersection.”
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