Jerrod KingeryThe Ohio Department of Transportation is investing $63 million into projects across the state that will improve roadway safety and reduce crashes.
The funding comes from ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program. The funded projects include the installation of cable barriers and the construction of a dozen roundabouts.
The cable barriers help to reduce the risk of crashes that happen when a vehicle crosses the highway median and into oncoming traffic.
According to a study conducted by the University of Dayton, Ohio’s cable barriers were 74% effective at reducing total crashes and 80% effective at reducing fatal and injury crashes.
The study also found that 95% of cable median barrier crashes resulted in vehicles either being stopped or bounced by the cables, instead of penetrating the barrier.
The following cable barrier projects have received funding:
- Ashtabula County – $3,5640,000 to construct a cable barrier on SR 11 due to narrow median.
- Hamilton County – $4,500,000 to construct cable barriers on I-71 and I-275 due to narrow medians.
- Summit County – $2,180,000 to construct a cable barrier on SR 21 due to narrow median.
- Tuscarawas County – $4,520,000 to construct a cable barrier on I-77 due to narrow median.
ODOT says roundabouts are a proven safety measure that reduces severe crashes. According to studies by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roundabouts achieve a 44% reduction in crashes and reduce serious injury and deadly crashes by nearly 90% at two-way stop intersections.
FHWA found that when roundabouts replaced traffic signals, there was a 48% reduction in crashes and a nearly 80% drop in serious injury and deadly crashes.
These roundabout projects will be receiving funding:
- Allen County – $3,500,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 501 and Amanda Road; $3,850,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 117 and Kemp Road.
- Franklin County – $3,483,100 for a roundabout at Havens Corners and Waggoner Road.
- Medina County – $3,750,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 94 and Fixler Road.
- Montogomery County – $2,916,000 for a single-lane roundabout at CR 24 and Meeker Road; $3,043,623 for a single-lane roundabout at Westbrook and Hoke Road.
- Richland County – $3,043,623 for a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of 4th and Rock in Ontario.
- Richland County – $3,800,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 96 and SR 545; $3,600,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 314 and Millsboro Road.
- Stark County – $4,192,000 for a single-lane roundabout at SR 93 and Orville Street.
- Williams County – $4,250,000 for a single-lane roundabout at US 20 and SR 49.
For a full list of projects, click here.
Photo by Ádám Berkecz on Unsplash
