By 1812Blockhouse with Office of Governor DeWine Press Release
On Friday, Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced $121 million in traffic safety grants.
Included in those grants is a Richland County project, a new roundabout at the intersection of Lexington-Springmill and Home Roads. This particular location was ranked with “high severity,” for which this improvement would be a safety countermeasure.
The cost for the project is project at $2.7 million and would be completed in Fiscal Year 2026, according to the Governor’s office.
In a press release, the Office shared,
“”A top priority of my administration has been making travel in our state safer – particularly at Ohio intersections that are known to be dangerous,” said Governor DeWine. “Studies show that roundabouts significantly reduce the likelihood of serious or deadly intersection crashes, so we’re investing in these projects today to save lives in the future.”
According to ODOT, there were only six traffic deaths at Ohio roundabouts from 2017-2021 compared to 1,126 deaths at a signalized or stop-controlled intersection.
“Roundabouts save lives. They reduce severe crashes, move traffic more efficiently, and are cheaper to maintain than signalized intersections,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.
In total, the funding will support project development, right of way, and construction of 50 projects in 31 counties across the state. In addition to the roundabout projects, other projects include safer pedestrian crossings, traffic signal upgrades, and turning lane improvements.
Funding for these projects will be awarded through ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program which, under the DeWine-Husted Administration, has grown to become one of the largest traffic safety programs in the country. In May, Governor DeWine announced $51 million in traffic safety improvement projects to address an increase in pedestrian-involved traffic crashes and fatal roadway departures on state and local roads.”
Image by Greg Reese from Pixabay
