By 1812Blockhouse
Richland County received significant state funding to enhance transportation safety, thanks to a new round of Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) funding announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. The $63 million investment is part of ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, aimed at projects that will improve roadway safety across the state. Richland County will benefit with three new single-lane roundabouts slated for construction in the coming years.
Major Statewide Effort for Safer Roads
The $63 million initiative will fund 19 projects in 14 counties, including the construction of 12 roundabouts and the installation of cable barriers. Governor DeWine emphasized the focus on safety, stating:
“We’re always looking at how we can make our transportation system safer. These projects will make improvements that will help reduce the number of crashes, making it safer for those who travel in these areas each day.”
ODOT Director Boratyn also highlighted the program’s impact:
“Every project we do has an element of safety built in, but these projects were specifically selected and funded because we know they will save lives and reduce the chance of a serious crash.”
The roundabout projects will be constructed at intersections with a history of fatal or injury crashes, making them a critical part of Ohio’s efforts to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of severe collisions.
Why Roundabouts? Proven Safety Benefits
Roundabouts are increasingly popular in Ohio due to their proven safety advantages. According to studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roundabouts can achieve a 44% reduction in crashes and nearly 90% fewer serious injury or deadly crashes at two-way stop intersections. Replacing traffic signals with roundabouts also yields substantial improvements, with a 48% reduction in total crashes and nearly an 80% drop in serious injury or fatal crashes.
The three Richland County projects include:
- Intersection of 4th and Rock in Ontario
- Project Type: Single-lane roundabout
- Completion Year: 2029
- Funding: $3,276,000
- Intersection of SR 96 and SR 545
- Project Type: Single-lane roundabout
- Completion Year: 2029
- Funding: $3,800,000
- Intersection of SR 314 and Millsboro Road
- Project Type: Single-lane roundabout
- Completion Year: 2030
- Funding: $3,600,000
The Role of Cable Barriers in Crash Prevention
In addition to roundabouts, the program includes the installation of cable barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing highway medians. Research from the University of Dayton found that Ohio’s median cable barriers are 74% effective at reducing total crashes and 80% effective at reducing fatal and injury crashes. Impressively, 95% of cable barrier collisions result in vehicles being stopped or redirected, preventing them from entering opposing lanes.
Ohio Leads the Nation in Safety Spending
Ohio’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, with an annual budget exceeding $180 million, allocates more funding per capita on safety than any other state. In May, Governor DeWine announced $83 million for 28 projects in 22 counties, continuing a strong focus on improving the state’s roadways. The program targets locations with a record of fatal or injury crashes where previous safety measures have been insufficient.
Image: DALLE-3
