LOCAL

ODOT project to fix dangerous intersection and more

Aaron Burd
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette

FAIRFIELD COUNTY − A change is coming to a dangerous spot with the construction of dual roundabouts to replace intersections at U.S. 22, Ohio 159, and Delmont Road.

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced upcoming projects and traffic impacts for the Central Ohio region with two events on Wednesday.

Highlights from one of the events included an outlining of large upcoming projects in Fairfield County and an emphasis on the need for drivers pay attention when going through work zones.

One of the most notable projects on the docket was the U.S. Route 22, Ohio 159 and Delmont Road Intersection Improvement. This includes the reconfiguration of the intersection of U.S. 22/Ohio 159 along with the intersection of U.S. 22/Delmont Road in Fairfield County. The proposed construction includes the construction of dual roundabouts, replacing the two existing intersections.

A car travels past the intersection of US 22 and Ohio 159 in this file photo. ODOT plans on putting two roundabouts at that intersection and the intersection at US 22 and Delmont Road.

According to District 5 area engineer covering Fairfield and Perry counties RJ Starkey, this intersection was on Governor Mike DeWine's list due to safety concerns.

"With the amount of traffic incidents that have occurred in the history of those two intersections it was on the Governor's list to upgrade that intersection for safety reasons," said Starkey.

Starkey explained why these intersections are prone to safety issues.

"You've got your major route which is US-22 coming through there so they are the priority, they do not stop," said Starkey. "If you're in a rush coming off a side road not paying any attention, it's very easy to have an accident."

This $3.4 million project began in 2022 and is expected to be finished by November. Traffic impacts include lane restrictions and road closures.

A car drives south past cracks in the road along Ohio 37 just outside on March 15, 2023, just outside of Bremen, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation will announced its plans for upcoming projects for Fairfield county and plans for Slide Repair and Geologic Maintenance of Ohio 37.

Additional plans included two Ohio 37 resurfacing projects, both of which have a cost of $3.4 million. One of these is for resurfacing and related work on Ohio 37 from U.S 22 to the Fairfield/Perry County line while the other is on a portion of Ohio 37 in Fairfield and Licking counties.

"It's been quite a while since the east side has been resurfaced," said Starkey. "It's at the end of its life and it's time to repave it."

Map of Fairfield County's 2023 Construction Program

"The northern section got some micro surfacing on it four or five years ago just to extend the life as much as possible but it's also time for that to be resurfaced," said Starkey.

Both Ohio 37 resurfacing projects are expected to start in May and end in October and will come with lane restrictions.

Fairfield County's largest project in terms of cost is the resurfacing of Interstate 70, which will cost $10.3 million. This project is for the resurfacing and related work on I-70 from the Franklin County line to Ohio 158 in Licking County. This project will also come with lane restrictions.

A car drives south past cracks and a puddle in the road along State Route 37 just outside on March 15, 2023 just outside of Bremen, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced its plans for upcoming projects for Fairfield county and plans for Slide Repair and Geologic Maintenance of Ohio 37.

Other projects in Fairfield County include the following:

  • County Road 20 Bridge Replacement
  • County Road 502 Resurfacing
  • Ohio 159 Bridge Replacement
  • Ohio 37 Slide Repair/Geologic Maintenance

ODOT is encouraging drivers to be safe as they travel through work zones.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,628 work zone-related crashes in Ohio last year, 21 were deadly resulting in 23 deaths and 85 involved serious injuries.