ODOT answers FAQs on Route 23 Connect – Delaware Gazette

The Ohio Division of Transportation has issued a response to feedback and questions for Spherical 2 of the U.S. 23 Hall Research, also referred to as Route 23 Join.

The 22-page doc solutions 138 questions culled from greater than 3,500 people from November 2021 by means of February 2022. The questions and feedback have been offered to ODOT in a variety of other ways: in individual at 5 public conferences; on remark kinds; through telephone, e-mail or the ODOT web site; and a web based survey.

ODOT stated the research assumes the completion of all of the initiatives within the 2050 Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Fee Metropolitan Transportation Plan (morpc.org/mtp2050). “This consists of enhancements to the I-71/U.S. 36/SR 37 interchange, a brand new I-71/Huge Walnut Interchange, widening of US 36/SR 37 on the east aspect of Delaware, Residence Highway extension to Lewis Middle Highway, and plenty of extra initiatives,” ODOT stated. “There are at the moment no plans for large-scale enhancements to US 36 west of Delaware or to SR 37 east of Sunbury.”

Beneath feedback, “A number of commenters acknowledged that they don’t really feel the proposed I-71/Huge Walnut Interchange is required.”

Intel’s proposed vegetation in Licking County was not included within the Route 23 research, ODOT stated. “Nonetheless, it makes use of journey demand forecasts that embody substantial progress in Licking County, together with the portion … that accommodates the deliberate manufacturing facility.”

The thought behind the research is to enhance truck visitors from Toledo to Columbus on the most important delivery hall of Route 23. Seven ideas are being thought-about as enhancements, ODOT stated. Nonetheless, unused railroad right-of-way is not going to be thought-about within the east or west ideas. If the C1 idea have been chosen, US 23 could be transformed “to a limited-access roadway, with frontage roads or backage roads used to supply entry to properties.” As well as, the research will not be contemplating a second outerbelt round Columbus.

“A number of commenters consider Idea C1 would be the least expensive and most cost-effective idea,” an ODOT doc containing a abstract of basic feedback states.

When it comes to visitors quantity, ODOT stated 30,000 autos a day move by means of Waldo on US 23, and 30,000-50,000 autos a day move by means of the town of Delaware and southern Delaware County on US 23. That will increase to greater than 80,000 autos per day in Franklin County close to I-270.

One query prompt that including capability on US 23 would enhance visitors, rendering any change as negligible. ODOT stated, “the proposed ideas would create a free-flow connection, which is prone to lower congestion and delays within the research space, even when visitors volumes enhance. … Lowering congestion on US 23 is anticipated to enhance emergency response instances.”

If an idea is chosen, building wouldn’t start for a minimum of 7-10 years.

Lastly, “Info relating to subsequent steps might be launched within the coming weeks.”

To entry the whole doc, go to publicinput.com/23connect and click on on “Route 23 Join Public Engagement Spherical 2 Remark Response.pdf underneath the Paperwork heading to the correct of webpage.

Gary Budzak could also be reached at 740-413-0906 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.