ODOT is proposing improvements to U.S. 42 IN Jerome Township. The plan includes widening and adding turn lanes at the intersection with Industrial Parkway, adding turn lane onto and off of U.S. 33. Additionally, traffic signals would be added on both sides of the U.S. 33 interchange.
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The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is announcing a preferred proposal for improvements to a local road and asking for public comments on the plan.
ODOT will host an open house style meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight at the Jerome Township Hall, 9777 Industrial Pkwy.
At the meeting, ODOT will announce a preferred plan to deal with traffic and safety concerns on U.S. 42 between Watkins California Road and Monteray Drive.
Breanna Badanes, with ODOT, said the purpose of the project is to “improve the safety and congestion at the intersection of U.S. 42 and Industrial Parkway, and the interchange of U.S. 42 and U.S. 33.”
“This intersection and interchange suffer from elevated crash rates and this project aims to reduce crashes at these locations,” she said.
Badanes said the suggestion is to widen the intersection of U.S. 42 and Industrial Parkway as well as the interchange of U.S. 42 and U.S. 33.
At its intersection with Industrial Parkway, U.S. 42 will be widened to five lanes, she said. Turn lanes will be added on all four legs of the intersection. The widened section will continue to the interchange with U.S. 33, where it will transition to meet the four-lane section.
The plan also calls for right turn lanes to be added on U.S. 42 for the entrance ramps onto U.S. 33 and on the U.S. 33 exit ramps onto U.S. 42.
“The proposed changes would also build a signal on U.S. 42 both sides of the U.S. 33 interchange,” Badanes said.
In addition to this preferred option, ODOT will also present three other options considered.
“During the project development, we always solicit public comment to make sure we aren’t missing something, and these improvements are for the public so it only makes sense that we get their comments,” Badanes said.
She added, “If you travel this stretch of U.S. 42 or live nearby, the finished project is for you.”
Officials explained that due to the size and location of the proposal, it would be split into two projects. Badanes said each project is expected to take only one season. She said the interchange with U.S. 33 would be done in 2020. The intersection at Industrial Parkway would be done in 2021 or 2022. The overall construction will take longer, but by creating two projects, the road will hopefully be easier to navigate during the work.
“We know it is inconvenient, but what it means when construction is done is safer, more efficient travel,” Badanes said.
Because the project is more than a year away, officials said they do not have a traffic maintenance plan.
“Typically, during construction we will maintain traffic,” Badanes said. “There may be delays, it may be dirty, but that is the nature of construction projects, but we will typically maintain traffic.”
Officials said the project would cost an estimated $6.5 million.
ODOT officials have said they want comments from residents and travelers even if they cannot attend tonight’s meeting.
Badanes said written concerns or comments about the project should be sent by Dec. 12, to Dan Kaseman, Project Manager, 400 E. William St., Delaware, OH 43015, or by email to daniel.kaseman1@dot.ohio.gov.
“That way we can follow up with people and any concerns or questions can be addressed,” Badanes said.
She said comments will be addressed in writing after the 30-day comment window has elapsed.