Area Projects To Receive State Funds For Road Safety Improvements

Article Presented By Tomlinson Insurance…

(Columbus) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks have announced an investment of $73.8 million into more than two dozen projects that will reduce the risk of crashes and increase safety on Ohio roads.

These projects will include:

*Constructing a roundabout at US Route 50 and Veterans Parkway in Ross County. ($2,419,386 Construction FY28)

*Construct a Reduced Collision U-Turn intersection at State Route 32 and State Route 220 in Pike County. ($375,744 Design Only FY24/25)

*Intersection realignment and relocation to improve safety and sight distance on State Route 73 at State Route 104 in Scioto County. ($4,131,824 Construction FY27)

*Construct a roundabout at SR 37 and Pleasantville Road in Fairfield County. ($4,900,000 Construction FY29)

*Reconstruct the roadway to improve sight distance on State Route 158 at Rainbow Drive in Fairfield County. ($2,650,000 Construction FY29)

*Add a turn lane and signal on County Road 7 at Refugee and Hines Road in Fairfield County. ($1,350,000 Construction FY27)

Funding from ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program will cover the various phases of project development, right of way, and construction of 25 projects in 19 counties across the state between state fiscal years 2024 and 2029.  

“Since 2019, we’ve worked to grow this program into one of the largest traffic safety programs in the country,” said Governor DeWine. “Every project that receives funding will be constructed in a manner that puts the safety of those traveling Ohio’s roads at the forefront.”

Many of the projects receiving funding are focused on improving the safety of intersections, including 16 projects that will install crash-reducing roundabouts. As of October, 298 people were killed in crashes at intersections in Ohio this year. Studies by the Federal Highway Administration show that roundabouts reduce overall crashes by 44 percent and serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 90 percent at two-way stop intersections. When roundabouts replace a traffic signal, studies show a 48 percent reduction in crashes and a nearly 80 percent drop in serious injury and deadly crashes. 

“When we introduce roundabouts for the first time, folks are generally skeptical. However, as time goes by, they see the benefits of safety and improved traffic flow,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. 

The project list also includes the conversion of two intersections to a reduced collision u-turn, also known as an RCUT. These non-traditional intersections allow for more efficient movement of traffic, reducing the number and severity of crashes. 

Projects submitted for grant consideration are reviewed and selected by a team of safety experts, design engineers, and funding professionals. 

ODOT’s Highway Safety Program is funded at $185 million annually. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE LIST OF RECENTLY AWARDED FUNDS: